Nuer Literacy Initiative

Project Overview

Project

Nuer Literacy Initiative

Project members:

Dr Oliver Bond
Dr Matthew Baerman
Dr Tatiana Reid (Edinburgh)

Project partners

South African Institute for Distance Education (Saide)

Nuer collaborators

Andrew Duop Pal Lortur, Bol Buony Nyuot, Both Khor Nyuon, Both Odol, Buay Tut Bidit, Chuol Chapen, Chuol Dow Wich, Dak Wal Phan, Deng Nhial Chioh, Desmond Tut Jockmundit, Ghai Wichdhuor Kerjiok Jang, Jimma Kir Guicwang, Khor Biel Rom, Koang Gach Keat, Lim Majok Kon Ghay, Makak John Gile, Maluil Dak Nyuot Gien, Matai Manuoi Muon, Nhial Gatkuoth Dol, Nhial Nyuot Nhial, Nyapak Yien Muon, Nyayow Deng Chuol, Peter Phar, Rebecca Nyawany Makuach, Stephen Lam Tutjiok, Stephen Tut Puol, Wäl Nyak Döl, Wiek Bol Reath, Yien Wil Mayuak

Period of award

November 2021 - March 2023

Funder:

AHRC

The Nuer Literacy Initiative targets inequalities in access to mother-tongue education in the Nuer language, spoken in South Sudan and Ethiopia, and by a broader global diaspora community. South Sudan has some of the lowest literacy rates of any country in the world, with only around 35% of the adult population estimated to have basic literacy skills. Ongoing civil conflict has had a devastating impact on its people and social infrastructure, and led to the displacement of more than 4 million people, with some 2 million fleeing to neighbouring countries in East Africa. As a consequence, an international approach to language development is required.

Building on our existing success establishing Nuer's first interactive online dictionary nuerlexicon.com and the Nuer Lexicon Facebook Group, the NLI project supports international cooperation between linguists in the UK, educational facilitators at the South African Institute for Distance Education (Saide), Nuer volunteers in East Africa, and a rapidly growing online community of Nuer speakers, of over 8000 members. The project facilitates cultural expression and participation in an inclusive and accessible creative economy. Using purpose-built technological solutions, the project tests a new model for supporting under-resourced languages by engaging a digital network of Nuer stakeholders in the coproduction of creative, culturally appropriate resources to support sustainable, linguistically informed practice for language and literacy development.

As part of the project, the Nuer Literacy Initiative team held two online workshops to support Nuer speakers to translate illustrated children's storybooks available for free on Saide's AfricanStoryBook website and African Storybook Reader App. We also held a three day story creation workshop, to help new Nuer authors develop their own original children's stories. Find out about the workshop goals by watching the project video:

DOWNLOAD THE PRESENTATION SLIDES

The major outcome of the project is 60 new digital books, and 19,500 physical books. The books were produced by Nuer authors, translators and illustrators within the context of three hybrid workshops, with the online Nuer community actively participating in the elaboration and refinement of orthographic practice. The books will have a global reach, benefiting Nuer speakers, Nuer heritage learners and Nuer second-language learners in South Sudan and Ethiopia, East Africa, and the global diaspora.

The outputs will have a transformative effect in providing teachers and parents with the materials they need to engender a love of reading Nuer in children. As a result of the project we envisage that new story books will be created and shared by Nuer group members under their own steam, and that the process will inspire them to produce longer works to share with the community. These works will also aid linguistic activists in developing tools and resources for Nuer teachers.

If you are a Nuer community member, and would like to get involved, please join our Facebook group or email Tatiana Reid (tatiana.reid@ed.ac.uk) to find out how you can participate.

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