Nuer Literacy Initiative
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Surrey
Department Name: English
Abstract
The Nuer Literacy Initiative targets inequalities in access to mother-tongue education in the Nuer language, spoken primarily in South Sudan, also in Ethiopia, and by a broader diaspora community. South Sudan has some of the lowest literacy rates of any country in the world, with only around 35% of the adult population estimated to have basic literacy skills. Ongoing civil conflict has had a devastating impact on its people and social infrastructure, and led to the displacement of more than 4 million people, with some 2 million fleeing to neighbouring countries in East Africa. As a consequence, an international approach to language development is required.
The project supports international cooperation between linguists in the UK, educational facilitators at the South African Institute for Distance Education, Nuer language activists in East Africa, and a rapidly growing online community of Nuer speakers, currently over 1400 members. The project facilitates cultural expression and participation in an inclusive and accessible creative economy. Using purpose-built technological solutions, the project tests a new model for supporting under-resourced languages by engaging a digital network of Nuer stakeholders in the coproduction of creative, culturally appropriate resources to support sustainable, linguistically informed practice for language and literacy development.
The major outcome will be 58 new digital books, and 15,000 physical books, which will have a global reach, benefiting Nuer speakers, Nuer heritage learners and Nuer second-language learners in South Sudan and Ethiopia, East Africa, and the global diaspora. These will be produced by Nuer authors, translators and illustrators within the context of three remote workshops coordinated by the South African Institute for Distance Education, in conjunction with Nuer language activists in East Africa. The online Nuer community will actively participate in the elaboration and refinement of orthographic practice. The outputs will have a transformative effect in providing teachers and parents with the materials they need to engender a love of reading Nuer in children. At the end of the funding period, we envisage that new story books will be created and shared by Nuer group members under their own steam, and that the process will inspire them to produce longer works to share with the community. These works will also aid linguistic activists in developing tools and resources for Nuer teachers.
The project supports international cooperation between linguists in the UK, educational facilitators at the South African Institute for Distance Education, Nuer language activists in East Africa, and a rapidly growing online community of Nuer speakers, currently over 1400 members. The project facilitates cultural expression and participation in an inclusive and accessible creative economy. Using purpose-built technological solutions, the project tests a new model for supporting under-resourced languages by engaging a digital network of Nuer stakeholders in the coproduction of creative, culturally appropriate resources to support sustainable, linguistically informed practice for language and literacy development.
The major outcome will be 58 new digital books, and 15,000 physical books, which will have a global reach, benefiting Nuer speakers, Nuer heritage learners and Nuer second-language learners in South Sudan and Ethiopia, East Africa, and the global diaspora. These will be produced by Nuer authors, translators and illustrators within the context of three remote workshops coordinated by the South African Institute for Distance Education, in conjunction with Nuer language activists in East Africa. The online Nuer community will actively participate in the elaboration and refinement of orthographic practice. The outputs will have a transformative effect in providing teachers and parents with the materials they need to engender a love of reading Nuer in children. At the end of the funding period, we envisage that new story books will be created and shared by Nuer group members under their own steam, and that the process will inspire them to produce longer works to share with the community. These works will also aid linguistic activists in developing tools and resources for Nuer teachers.
Title | ? rec indi?n p?l ?l?_? ?? [Who is the wisest fish?] Wiek Bol Reath |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40367&a=0&d=0 |
Title | ??u mi thiëp k? ya_a_k? [Why hyenas limp] Both Khor Nyuon and Andrew Duop Pal |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40722&a=0&d=0 |
Title | ??u mëë pen J?k ku?_ny? [Why Ajao was not buried] Buay Tut Bidit and Matai Manuoi Muon |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40721&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Bi na¨a¨ra k? na? r??k k? babur [Our uncle will take us to the city by ship] Makak John Gile |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40448&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Bi_ri_c Nyaluak mi [Akai's special mat] Jimma Guicwang |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
Title | Bär ni ciaa? [A better life is ahead of us] Deng Nhial Chioh |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original colour illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Published story books pending release in South Sudan March/April 2023 |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40445&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Camji?c [Greed] Matai Manuoi Muon, Wäl Nyak Döl and Wiek Bol Reath |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40689&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Ciek in tek? bi_y in yian [Lady in orange] Deng Nhial Chioh and Nhial Nyuot Nhial |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40445&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Cä? k?n? Pay k? Pi_ [Sun moon and water] Deng Chioh Dhoar and Stephen Lam Tutjiok |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40718&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Cää? ëë ji?n k? cä? [The day the sun went away] Makak John Gile and Yien Wil Mayuak |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40719&a=0&d=0 |
Title | D?aa? ciëk mi te r?y wi_l?kä [Old woman in a bottle] Bol Buony and Yien Wil Mayuak |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40715&a=0&d=0 |
Title | D?w g?ak [Monkey's child] Jimma Guicwang and Nyayow Deng Chuol |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40713&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Daar Gatluak [Greedy Kiundu] Chuol Dow Wich and Rebecca Nyaway Makuach |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
Title | Du?di_i_t mi thi?l päär [A giant like no other] Both Khor Nyuon |
Description | story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40434&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Dueel Gadet [Luwo's house] Lim Majok Kon and Maluil Dak Nyuot |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40434&a=0&d=0 |
Title | G?k k?n? Lony k? [Monkey, Lion and Fox] Wan Both Odol |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40370&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Gu?_r k?n? R?w [Elephant and Hippo] Deng Nhial Chioh and Nhial Nyuot Nhial |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
Title | Gua_n gatä, gat k?n? muul [Father, son and donkey] Bol Buony and Yien Wil Mayuak |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
Title | Guak k?n? Kuoth k? Nyo?gol [Fox, God and Vulture] Andrew Duop Pal |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40370&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Guak k?n? jo_pd? [Fox and his axe] Gatkuoth Dol |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40372&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Gui_l Mand??? [Visiting grandmother] Makak John Gile and Yien Wil Mayuak |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40681&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Gör? Da_a_p [Look for the gold] Both Khor Nyuon and Andrew Duop Pal |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
Title | Jio_k Nyapëc mi jiääk [Ungrateful jackal] Chuol Dow Wich and Rebecca Nyaway Makuach |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40681&a=0&d=0 |
Title | K?_al Tut [Parna's calf] Deng Chioh Dhoar and Stephen Lam Tutjiok |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40716&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Kacik k?n? thäk [Donkey and ox] Dak Wal Phan and Nhial Nyuot Nhial |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40683&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Kue¨n Gu?¨k k? Nyami_er [How Frog married Turtle's daughter] Bol Buony |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40716&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Kun d?aar k?n? kun cië? [The rat] Jimma Guicwang and Nyayow Deng Chuol |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40679&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Kuën Jiaath M??ga k? Pua_a_r Nhial [Wedding between Mango and Heavenly Cloud] Buay Tut Bidit |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40431&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Kuën leyni [Counting animals] Both Khor Nyuon, Ghai Wichdhuor Kerjiok and Stephen Tut Puol |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40679&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Luk wutni da_? r?w [Two men in court] Nyak Döl |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40433&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Luth Ruëël [Lungfish in the mud] Lim Majok Kon |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40435&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Lät nyaal r?y cia?ä Nuäärä [Duties of a girl in Nuer culture] Rebecca Nyaway Makuach |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Digital story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40611&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Manpal?¨k k?n? Ci_rci_r [Chicken and Millipede] Buay Tut Bidit and Koang Gach Keat |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Digital story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40686&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Muul k?n? Yak [Donkey and Hyena] Jimma Guicwang and Nyayow Deng Chuol |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
Title | Mäthni [Friends] Jimma Guicwang and Nyayow Deng Chuol |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40684&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Mäthni ti ci bila ji_ t?¨r [Friends become enemies] Dak Wal Phan and Khor Biel Rom |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
Title | Nhial ? wut mi deep r??c [Jaaka the fisherman] Dak Wal Phan and Khor Biel Rom |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40705&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Nhiam [ Face] Both Odol |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Digital story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
Title | Ny?wec wi_c ruac [Kalabushe the talkative] Both Khor Nyuon, Ghai Wichdhuor Kerjiok and Stephen Tut Puol |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
Title | Nyabo_o_rä in g?aa [Amazing Daisy] Desmond Tut Jockmundit and Makak John Gile |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Digital story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
Title | Nyabuay k?n? th?_l belä [Fati and the green snake] Dak Wal Phan and Nhial Nyuot Nhial |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
Title | Nyadak k?n? leyk? [Fana and her animals] Matai Manuoi Muon, Wäl Nyak Döl and Wiek Bol Reath |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
Title | Nyalual k?n mäthni_k? [Atieno's friend] Chuol Dow Wich and Rebecca Nyaway Makuach |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
Title | Nyamal ? ram mi di_i_t [Zama is great] Buay Tut Bidit and Matai Manuoi Muon |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40723&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Nyamuoch ruac? k? ji?n [ Khalai talks to plants] Tut Bidit and Koang Gach Keat |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
Title | Nyaw k?n? Kun [Cats and mice] Chuol Chapen and Both Odol |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
Title | Nyawdä ? nikä? [Where is my cat?] Bol Buony and Yien Wil Mayuak |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40688&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Ri?k mi b?c-b?c [A serious accident] Chuol Dow Wich and Rebecca Nyaway Makuach |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Digital story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40687&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Rialgi??r k?n? ??_k [Lekishon and the cows] Ghai Wichdhuor Kerjiok and Nyapak Yien Muon |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40709&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Thurbil mi t?_c mi di_i_t [Big blue bus] Lim Majok Kon and Maluil Dak Nyuot |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40690&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Tut manpal?¨k k?n? p?lp?l [Rooster and Hare] Chuol Dow Wich and Rebecca Nyaway Makuach |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40717&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Wa_a_ri_kä tin nhiam [My first pair of shoes] Wal Phan and Nhial Nyuot Nhial |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40714&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Wan k?n? d?y deet da_? ?uaan [ Four lambs and a fox] Guicwang and Nyayow Deng Chuol |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Digital story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
Title | Wi_c mi ruac [Talking skull] Stephen Tut Puol |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40446&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Wut mi bäär ?l?_? [A very tall man] Wiek Bol Reath |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Digital story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40685&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Wutni da_? dhieec ti d?_a_a_r [Five foolish men] Dow Wich |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40371&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Wä r?¨?¨k in di_i_t [Going to the city] Jimma Guicwang and Nyayow Deng Chuol |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40682&a=0&d=0 |
Title | Ya? k?n? d?l r?y Nuäärä [Cow and goat in the Nuer community] Dak Nyuot |
Description | Story book for primary age children with original illustrations |
Type Of Art | Creative Writing |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | Printed story book pending release in March/April 2023 in South Sudan |
URL | http://africanstorybook.org/reader.php?id=40363&a=0&d=0 |
Description | Through our work with Nuer speakers from different speech communities (in South Sudan and Ethiopia, neighbouring countries in East Africa, and the global diaspora), we have been able to identify and begin to tackle some of the largest language development problems facing the Nuer community. Here we outline four major achievements of the award. Open access library of children's literature in Nuer: The 58 illustrated children's book in the Nuer language (also known as Thok Nath) published for this project provide a substantial library of book of increasing complexity, to take children from reading their first sentences to longer paragraphs. Of these, 15 are original books, written by Nuer authors and illustrated by African illustrators. 21,000 printed books will be distributed in South Sudan from April 2023. Examples from the texts are being used to exemplify Nuer words in context on the Nuer Lexicon online dictionary of Nuer (www.nuerlexicon.com) developed for our previous project. New research methods: The system of collaboration we have developed with the support of African Storybook and SIL South Sudan is the first of its kind for the remote generation of children's literature on a large scale. The process and outcomes will be documented and critiqued in a paper to be submitted to Language Documentation and Conservation so that we are able to share knowledge about the successful aspect of the project design and areas where there is scope to improve the workflows. New research networks: The project has brought together Nuer language activists, translators and writers in South Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Canada and Italy. These new networks inspired the independent formation new international WhatsApp groups and Facebook groups with members that did not previously know each other. We have already been working with contacts within these groups for descriptive and theoretical research on Nuer, and they will form the foundation for our future orthography development and policy work networks in South Sudan. Expanded community networks: During to award our Facebook group 'Nuer Lexicon' has grown from 1,400 in August 2021 to over 7,500 in March 2023. This is a discussion forum where Nuer speakers and learners can share information about language development and ask and answer questions about Nuer. The group has provided unique opportunities for accessing the opinions of wider section of the Nuer speaking community that traditional methods would not give access to. |
Exploitation Route | (i) The original illustrated books in the Nuer languages that we have created with our collaborators are all freely available online under a Creative Commons license for users to read, download, print, translate or adapt at www.africastorybook.org. The creative outputs of the award (both written and illustrative) can be put to use by users in supporting their childrens' literacy development in Nuer, but can also act as open access source material for translations and adaptation with other under-resourced languages in Africa using the African Storybook website and app. We hope that the project will inspire Nuer speakers to increase the stock of books currently available by translating existing books into Nuer and to develop their own stories using the African Storybook Maker app and website. (ii) Second, the innovative methodology we have devised to create the outputs of this award will form the foundation for future projects (both on Nuer and other languages) that aim to support literacy development though sustainable remote participatory methods. This will be detailed in a publication (in preparation) to be submitted to the open access journal Language Documentation and Conservation. |
Sectors | Creative Economy,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
URL | https://www.smg.surrey.ac.uk/projects/nuer-literacy-initiative/ |
Description | The major outcomes of the project are 58 new open access, illustrated digital children's books (available online at www.africanstorybook.org), and 21,000 free printed books which will be distributed in South Sudan from April 2023 onwards. Because we have not yet finished our award, we are not yet able to report on the use of the books within the community. However there are many tangential impacts that we have observed through our project, including: Growing independent language activism and learning, as well as dissemination of cultural information, through the Nuer Lexicon facebook group; Independent writing and publishing by authors involved in our Translation and Story Creation Workshops; Formation of new networks for language development formed of members connected for the first time at our workshops. In addition. as a result of the project, community groups we have not worked with before have contacted us to collaborate on developing inclusionary policies for orthography development. |
First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
Sector | Creative Economy,Education,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
Impact Types | Cultural,Societal |
Title | Nuer Lexicon |
Description | Online morphological lexicon of Nuer nouns and verbs, showing inflectional paradigms, dialectal variation, morphological analysis. Accompanied by sound files. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | The website Nuer Lexicon was launched in September 2020 at www.nuerlexicon.com and by the end of 2020 had been visited by an average of 413 users per month in 63 countries worldwide, with the greatest activity recorded for three diaspora target groups in the USA, Kenya and UK. In this period South Sudan and Ethiopia were in the top 7 countries for bandwidth and hits. The site was launched with over 800 lexical items, exemplified by over 1100 noun and verb paradigms and 1400 audio recordings and examples. Users can search in Nuer and English and toggle between results in two modes, one aimed at Nuer speakers, rendered in our version of the practical orthography, and another aimed at linguists using transcriptions in the International Phonetic Alphabet. The interactive interface allows users to reveal morphological patterns such a tone and vowel length alternations that are otherwise opaque to learners, since they are obscured by the writing system. The lexicon is designed to be an interactive and growing resource. Users are able to offer corrections to existing entries and to suggest new entries and example sentences. Up to the end of 2020, 103 new items were incorporated based on community suggestions, from speakers based in South Sudan, Kenya and the USA. To further facilitate community engagement we have established a Facebook group (with 131 members by the end of 2020) as a forum for our Nuer beneficiaries to discuss norms, definitions and spelling conventions. The educational value and potential of the lexicon has been noted by Tanya Spronk, Literacy and Education Coordinator for the Summer Institute of Linguistics in Juba, South Sudan (the major promotor of literacy efforts in the country), who writes 'something like this dictionary could become a spelling authority [] there is still nothing else like it that I know of in any South Sudanese language!' Jimma Guicwang, Nuer language interpreter for the UNHCR and other NGOs, writes 'Now, I will not be worry about where I will go for help or asking Nuer speakers to get the similar translations both English and Nuer vocabularies words because the Nuer Lexicon online dictionary will keep providing me the meaning words without difficulty.' Besides its usefulness as a language resource, the lexicon has emerged as an expression of cultural pride, and user response has been enthusiastic, as one user commented: "I just wanted to say thank you to everyone that involved large and small to make this wonderful language and loving language accessible online to many millions of people around the GLOBE." |
URL | http://www.nuerlexicon.com/ |
Title | Nuerdle |
Description | Nuerdle is a game based on Wordle using our Nuer Lexicon to assist players |
Type Of Material | Data analysis technique |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | spreading knowledge of Nuer as a language |
URL | https://smg-wordle.co.uk/ |
Description | African Storybook |
Organisation | South African Institute for Distance Education |
Country | South Africa |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | We worked with African Storybook team at the South African Institute for Distance Education to develop a new means of developing and delivering remote workshops for story development, by drawing on the community networks we built through our previous research. Our team designed the overarching structure of the project, developed the strategies for engaging Nuer speakers in South Sudan and members of the diaspora across East Africa, the Middle East, Europe and North America. We were responsible for al linguistic aspects of the project, and its general management, including quality control. |
Collaborator Contribution | African Storybook provided infrastructure for hosting the books, project management and publishing expertise, training for Nuer participants at Translation and Story Creation Workshops, advice on publishing printed copies, contacts with African illustrators and book design expertise. |
Impact | The following Nuer books were generated through this collaboration. Please see Artistic and Creative products for full details: Nhiam Ri?k mi b?c-b?c Wut mi bäär ?l?_? Manpal?¨k k?n? Ci_rci_r Kuën leyni Kacik k?n? thäk Mäthni Wä r?¨?¨k in di_i_t Camji?c Jio_k Nyapëc mi jiääk Gui_l Mand??? Nyawdä ? nikä? Thurbil mi t?_c mi di_i_t Muul k?n? Yak Nyabuay k?n? th?_l belä Nhial ? wut mi deep r??c Ciek in tek? bi_y in yian Rialgi??r k?n? ??_k Dueel Gadet D?aa? ciëk mi te r?y wi_l?kä K?_al Tut Tut manpal?¨k k?n? p?lp?l Cää? ëë ji?n k? cä? Kun d?aar k?n? kun cië? ??u mëë pen J?k ku?_ny? Nyamal ? ram mi di_i_t Bi_ri_c Nyaluak mi g?aa Nyabo_o_rä in g?aa Nyalual k?n mäthni_k? Nyaw k?n? Kun Nyadak k?n? leyk? Gua_n gatä, gat k?n? muul Mäthni ti ci bila ji_ t?¨r Daar Gatluak Ny?wec wi_c ruac Nyamuoch ruac? k? ji?n Gör? Da_a_p D?w g?ak Wa_a_ri_kä tin nhiam Cä? k?n? Pay k? Pi_ ??u mi thiëp k? ya_a_k? Gu?_r k?n? R?w Wan k?n? d?y deet da_? ?uaan |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | SIL South Sudan |
Organisation | SIL International |
Country | United States |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | We collaborated with SIL on running a Juba Hub for our hybrid workshops, and printing books for distribution in South Sudan |
Collaborator Contribution | SIL hosted the Juba Hub, provided administrative and technical assistance, guidance on selection of suitable publishers and book storage and distribution. |
Impact | The following Nuer books were generated through this collaboration. Please see Artistic and Creative products for full details: Nhiam Ri?k mi b?c-b?c Wut mi bäär ?l?_? Manpal?¨k k?n? Ci_rci_r Kuën leyni Kacik k?n? thäk Mäthni Wä r?¨?¨k in di_i_t Camji?c Jio_k Nyapëc mi jiääk Gui_l Mand??? Nyawdä ? nikä? Thurbil mi t?_c mi di_i_t Muul k?n? Yak Nyabuay k?n? th?_l belä Nhial ? wut mi deep r??c Ciek in tek? bi_y in yian Rialgi??r k?n? ??_k Dueel Gadet D?aa? ciëk mi te r?y wi_l?kä K?_al Tut Tut manpal?¨k k?n? p?lp?l Cää? ëë ji?n k? cä? Kun d?aar k?n? kun cië? ??u mëë pen J?k ku?_ny? Nyamal ? ram mi di_i_t Bi_ri_c Nyaluak mi g?aa Nyabo_o_rä in g?aa Nyalual k?n mäthni_k? Nyaw k?n? Kun Nyadak k?n? leyk? Gua_n gatä, gat k?n? muul Mäthni ti ci bila ji_ t?¨r Daar Gatluak Ny?wec wi_c ruac Nyamuoch ruac? k? ji?n Gör? Da_a_p D?w g?ak Wa_a_ri_kä tin nhiam Cä? k?n? Pay k? Pi_ ??u mi thiëp k? ya_a_k? Gu?_r k?n? R?w Wan k?n? d?y deet da_? ?uaan |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Sandfield School (Guildford) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | 30 pupils attended a school visit from project CI Dr Reid, which sparked questions and discussion afterwards about languages of the world and what makes a good children's book. Rankings of existing African Storybook books were made by the children to determine which they would most like to read. This informed our decisions about which books to translated from English to Nuer for the project. After the visit, individual pupils reported increased interest and engagement in literature. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.africanstorybook.org/ |
Description | Story Creation Workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | 20 Nuer participants attended a three-day hybrid Story Creation Workshop in May 2022. 10 participants joined from a central hub in Juba, South Sudan. 10 participants joined online from Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Italy and Canada. As a result of the workshop 20 original stories were written, 15 of which were chosen to publish. The workshop sparked questions and discussion afterwards, and new networks were formed between participants. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Translation Workshop 1 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | 20 Nuer participants attended a hybrid Translation workshop in February 2022. 10 participants joined from a central hub in Juba, South Sudan. 10 participants joined online from Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Italy and Canada. As a result of the workshop over 20 children's book were translated into Nuer. The workshop sparked questions and discussion afterwards, and new networks were formed between participants. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Translation Workshop 2 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | 20 Nuer participants attended a hybrid Translation workshop in April 2022. 10 participants joined from a central hub in Juba, South Sudan. 10 participants joined online from Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Italy and Canada. As a result of the workshop over 20 children's book were translated into Nuer. The workshop sparked questions and discussion afterwards, and new networks were formed between participants. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |