News

FOSTERLANG, the new EU-funded Horizon project aiming to boost European endangered and minoritised languages, will be holding its inaugural project opening and conference in the town of Wilamowice, Poland, home to the endangered Wymysiöeryś language, from 25-27th September.

 Wilamowice will become a European centre of activity for language diversity and revitalisation over the week with a host of endangered and minoritised language experts from across Europe participating. Languages represented include Gaelic, Irish, Welsh, Catalan, Basque, Kashubian, Lemko and Wymysiöeryś, acting to underline how the Fosterlang project reflects the rich tapestry of European language diversity. In addition, the conference will celebrate the European Day of Languages on Friday 26th September.

 Speaking to the media project coordinator Prof. Justyna Olko said:

 “For almost two decades Wilamowice, a small town speaking its own language, Wymysiöeryś, has been the hub of language revival and community agency in restoring its unique ethnic and cultural identity. Over the years, this inspiring community of practice has attracted language activists and socially engaged researchers from all over the world, generating an energizing flow of networking, exchanges and inspiration.

 Wymysiöeryś language revitalizer and Vilamovian researcher, Dr. Tymoteusz Król, added that: “While we must also learn other languages, we always want to hear wymysiöeryś”.

“Wilamowice offers hope that even a highly endangered language can find its place in the current globalized world; that this language can contribute to the community’s wellbeing and healing; and that its speakers can actively shape their own reality.

 “I am truly happy that the community has agreed to host the inauguration of the FOSTERLANG project. Our collaborative endeavour is about hope and acting “united in diversity”, and pursuing the vision of the European Union that we all deeply identify with.” 

 The event, which will be held in the Museum for Vilamovian Culture in Wilamowice, runs from Thursday 25th September to Saturday 27th September featuring presentations and workshops from leading academics from across Europe on a wide range of topics including on revitalising Wymysiöeryś, Lemko and Kashubian, effective intergenerational language transmission, grassroots multilingualism and sustainability, and re-defining and operationalizing linguistic capital. Saturday’s proceedings focus on the Wymysiöeryś research, recovery and revitalisation effort.

The event is preceded by a workshop on the 23 – 24th September looking at the effects of past trauma on endangered language speakers.