Morphological Typology and the Athabaskan Verb

Regions: North Slave Region

Tags: social sciences, linguistics, language

Principal Investigator: Jaker, Alessandro M (11)
Licence Number: 14282
Organization: Stanford University
Licensed Year(s): 2014 2013 2012 2009 2008 2007 2005
Issued: Feb 15, 2008

Objective(s): The objective of this research is to better understand the structure of Dogrib verbs, to determine exceptions to the normal pattern in Dogrib verbs, and to compare Dogrib verbs to complex verbs in other languages.

Project Description: This licence was issued for the scientific research application # 730. The objective of this research is to better understand the structure of Dogrib verbs, to determine exceptions to the normal pattern in Dogrib verbs, and to compare Dogrib verbs to complex verbs in other languages. The researcher will work with native speakers of Dogrib in the Yellowknife area and collect verb forms, meeting with 3-5 aboriginal consultants in Dettah. Digital recordings of speech will be made and acoustic analysis of the recordings done. Teaching materials suitable for classroom use will be produced in consultation with Goyatiko language centre. The grammatical and cultural topics to include in teaching materials will be discussed, and local elders interviewed. Consultants will be paid for their contribution. A copy of all of recordings will be given back to the Goyatiko Language Center. A copy of any research papers written will be given to Goyatiko language centre, and to Aurora Research Institute library. A workshop on acoustic phonetics software program will be given in Dettah depending on community interest. The research will be of cultural benefit by promoting language revitalization and language awareness. Fieldwork will be conducted from February 15 to May 30, 2008 in Yellowknife and Dettah, NWT.