While we are asleep: Master/Mentor-Apprentice language learning initiative in the Ryukyus

I currently conduct participatory action research with new speakers of Ryukyuan languages by running a project called MAI-Ryukyus, which is designed based on Hinton’s Master/Mentor-Apprentice Language Learning Program, to explore both emotional and cognitive aspects of learning one’s own Indigenous ancestral tongue. The findings of the PhD research will be discussed in a future article. In this paper, I introduce my research design, discuss the issues identified in current language revitalisation efforts through ethnographic observation, and conclude with future directions