Educational Research Group(ERG) Venue : RV Educational Consortium(RVEC), Jayanagar Bangalore Time: 3.00pm- 5.00pm Wednesday, 5th March 2014 Topic of Presentation: An overview of literacy learning in the akshara languages. Presenter: Dr. Sonali Nag, The Promise Foundation (Bangalore) and University of Oxford (UK) Brief Note: South Asia is rich in linguistic diversity and a robust body of research is available to describe the distinct features of the multiple languages of the region (e.g., Dravidian languages, Krishnamurti, 2003; Indo-Aryan languages, Masica, 1991). Many South Asian languages share a common early history and have experienced similar waves of language contact over the centuries, leading to a phenomenon of convergence in lexicon, grammar and writing system. The overarching presence of such commonalities led to the region being called a linguistic area (Sprachbund, Emeneau, 1956). Acquisition research is available in several languages of South Asia but the body of evidence is small in each language. In this chapter, research from Kannada, a southern Dravidian language, will provide the backdrop for reviewing literacy development in the writing system and, where available, cross-linguistic evidence will be used to explore commonalities and particularities. It is also critical to note that socioeconomic inequalities run deep in the South Asian region. Socio-political and socio-linguistic issues are therefore inextricably woven into any discussion on literacy development and schooling in the region (c.f. Sen, 2010). While I will introduce some of the issues involved, my focus will be on the psycholinguistic and cognitive-behavioural aspects of literacy learning. This presentation is based on a book chapter I am currently working on. Emeneau M. 1956. India as a Linguistic Area. Lg., 32: 3-16. Krishnamurti, Bh. (2003). The Dravidian Languages. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Masica, C. P. (1991). The Indo-Aryan languages. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Sen, A. (2010). Primary Schooling in West Bengal. Prospects: Quarterly Review of Comparative Education. 40(3): 311-320.
Posted on: Tue, 04 Mar 2014 01:53:26 +0000