Practicalities of language data collection and management in and around Indonesia

Abstract

Researchers use different approaches when collecting and managing primary language materials during fieldwork. Yet it is important that this work is done in a transparent way, so that it can be used by other researchers, who might have other aims, as well as by the speaker community who might want to use or take note of the collected materials. In this article we use our research experience in language data collection in and around Indonesia in fieldwork projects of three kinds: descriptive fieldwork, linguistic surveys, and projects investigating language contact. Our aim is to provide an introductory and practical guide for students and professionals who are embarking on fieldwork in or around Indonesia. Describing practical methods of language data collection, processing, and management, our aim is to provide a guide for any research which involves the collection of language materials, including linguistic research, oral history or literature, and ethnography.

1. Introduction to The Papuan languages of Timor, Alor and Pantar. Volume 3

“…The Pacific and Regional Archive for Digital Sources in Endangered Cultures (PARADISEC) has deposits for several west Alor languages (Baird 2015a(Baird , 2015b(Baird , 2015c and for Western Pantar (Holton 2012). Materials for numerous TAP languages are found in The Language Archive including in the collections of Huber ( 2013), Klamer et al (2015) and Klamer et al (2019). Whilst all these collections are made by and for linguists, there are also archival collections including TAP language materials by researchers from other fields.…”