Literacy Involvement in Papua New Guinea: The Summer Institute of Linguistics

Abstract

In 1979 the Papua New Guinea Branch of the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) received the UNESCO prize for literacy after be ing nominated by the Department of Education of Papua New Guinea. What does SIL endeavour to accomplish in the field of literacy in the country? This paper outlines current programs which emphasize Papua New Guinean involvement and training. With over 700 different vernaculars, three national languages and several church languages, the task of eradicating illiteracy in the country is im mense. The SIL believes good progress is being made towards this goal through the efforts of indigenous leaders and instructors in local villages throughout the country.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Education Gazette. March 1980. Non-formal education award, 43-44. PNG Department of Education.

Evans, Peter , 1981. Adult literacy — follow-up or don't start! READ 16:1. 27-31.

Farr, Jim and Farr, Cynthia. 1980. Report on a village writers' workshop. READ 15:2. 26-32.

Franklin, Joice. 1975. Towards a language and literature directory of Papua New Guinea. Studies on Literacy and Education, Work-shops in Papua New Guinea Languages, Vol. 11. 5-36.

. 1977. Vernacular literacy: general remarks. Language, culture, society, and the modern world, ed. by S.A. Wurm, 357-358. Pacific Linguistics Series No. C40.

Litteral, Robert. 1975. A proposal for the use of Pidgin in Papua New Guinea's education system. Tok Pisin I Go We?, Kivung Special Publication 1, ed. by K. McElhanon , 155-165. Reprinted in Sociolinguistic aspects of language learning and teaching, ed. by J.B. Pride. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

. 1978. Language planning activity in Papua New Guinea. Workpapers in Papua New Guinea Languages, Vol. 24. 5-14.

Norumbu, Robert and Croft, John. 1981. Provincial literacy campaign, case study report, Southern Highlands Province. Mimeo.

Potts, Denise. 1980. A survey for assessment of literacy needs, SIL. Mimeo.

10.

Stringer, Mary and Franklin, Joice. 1980. Reports of vernacular literacy programmes conducted by the Summer Institute of Linguistics in Papua New Guinea . Workpapers in Papua New Guinea Languages, Vol. 28.