FOSTERLANG project launched in Wilamowice, Poland
The launch event featured presentations, workshops, and community activities centred on the challenges and opportunities facing minority language communities in Poland and beyond. Languages such as Wymysiöeryś, Lemko, and Kashubian were at the forefront of discussions on intergenerational transmission, linguistic capital, and grassroots multilingualism.
Official recognition
The event also included the Second Vilamovian Conference, which focused on the research, recovery and revitalisation of Wymysiöeryś – an endangered language spoken in the host town of Wilamowice. Participants celebrated the news that Wymysiöeryś is currently under review for official recognition by the Polish Government, pending presidential approval.
Paul Trilsbeek, representing the MPI, reflected on the collaborative spirit of the event:
“It was great to meet so many of the FOSTERLANG project members in person in Wilamowice. Most of them, I had only seen online during the numerous video calls in the project’s preparation phase. The venue, the cultural programme, and the presentations from both academic and community-based participants were all truly inspiring. They demonstrated what can be accomplished when the right people and organisations come together to support and revitalise minoritised languages and cultures.”
Survey
As part of the project’s early activities, a survey among speakers of minoritised languages in Europe will be carried out. This survey will examine various aspects such as the demolinguistic context, well-being within the communities, language competences, but also speakers’ experiences and expectations regarding the role of speech and language technologies for their language.
Paul: “The results of the survey will shape the priorities we will focus on for our work on automatic speech recognition technology within our work package.”
The launch event included cultural performances, local engagement workshops, and a pre-event interdisciplinary symposium titled ‘Language and Trauma: Grassroots Multilingualism, Trauma and Healing’, organized by Prof. Judith Purkharthofer (University of Essen).
FOSTERLANG represents an important step in connecting sociolinguistic research, multilingual education and pedagogy, community activism, and technological development to address the complex challenges facing Europe's linguistic diversity.
More information & media
Follow FOSTERLANG online and get involved:
• Bluesky
Share this page