This funding provides support for the Principal Investigator to sponsor a visit for five researchers from Latin America to the Center for Indigenous Languages of Latin America at the University of Texas. The guests will participate in activities and a conference focusing on preserving oral indigenous languages. Activities in this area are regarded by many as essential to prevent the disappearance of these languages and the knowledge and cultural assets they embody from the human record. It has been documented that indigenous languages around the world are disappearing at an alarming rate. The Digital Libraries Initiative is funding several projects focusing on the capture and retrieval of audio content and transcripts. Having indigenous linguists present and involved in centers which are focusing on preservation of indigenous languages using digital technologies is essential to the overall success of the endeavor.
