This section collects links to resources for the study of language, Tibetan languages and translation resources.
Advice from an experienced language learner: "For beginning language learners, I would recommend taking a language and culture acquisition course (I believe it's available through SIL and other groups). Learn how language works in general (common things across all languages) and then unique features of your language / language family). Learn the building blocks of your language: sounds --> syllables --> words --> phrases --> clauses / sentences -->texts.
These are covered in books on phonetics (sounds), phonology (how those sounds interact with each other...e.g. how electricK --> electricSity - why the K sound turns into an S sound), grammar (how words interact with each other), and semantics (the meanings of words). A very basic, easy place to start for those interested in language/linguistics might be an introductory book like Linguistics for Dummies or basic books on phonetics, phonology and grammar."
Language Services by SIL
Extensive list of language resources compiled by SIL (formerly Summer Institute of Linguistics)
Includes dictionaries and lexicography, language assessment, language technology, literacy and education, media development, orthography, translation, anthropology, arts and ethnomusicology, linguistics, sign languages, and sociolinguistics.
Research on Words
This website contains a variety of translated material in a PDF format. The “Research On Words” project is a work in progress which began 45 years ago! Focus on Tibetan Bible. Includes Questions and Answers on the Christian Faith (Long Catechism).
Basic books on Linguistics
Articulatory Phonetics by Anita Bickford and Rick Floyd
A basic textbook of all the different sounds in languages and that your mouth can make. An explanation of the International Phonetic Alphabet.
Analyzing Discourse: A Manual of Basic Concepts by Robert Dooley and Steven Levinsohn
"Analyzing Discourse is an introduction to discourse analysis for linguistic field workers. It is practical, addressing issues commonly confronted by field linguists. Rather than applying a rigid theory or surveying a variety of approaches, it provides a methodology that has been refined over years of use. The material follows a functional and cognitive approach that seems to be a good approximation of how discourse is actually produced and understood."
Books of Interest
At the Foot of the Snows: A Journey of Faith and Words Among the Kham-speaking people of Nepal by David and Steve Watters.
Story of linguistic/translation work among the Kham-Magar people of Nepal.
God Spoke Tibetan by Allan Mabery
Inspiring story of the original translation of the Bible into Tibetan.
Advice from an experienced language learner: "For beginning language learners, I would recommend taking a language and culture acquisition course (I believe it's available through SIL and other groups). Learn how language works in general (common things across all languages) and then unique features of your language / language family). Learn the building blocks of your language: sounds --> syllables --> words --> phrases --> clauses / sentences -->texts.
These are covered in books on phonetics (sounds), phonology (how those sounds interact with each other...e.g. how electricK --> electricSity - why the K sound turns into an S sound), grammar (how words interact with each other), and semantics (the meanings of words). A very basic, easy place to start for those interested in language/linguistics might be an introductory book like Linguistics for Dummies or basic books on phonetics, phonology and grammar."
Language Services by SIL
Extensive list of language resources compiled by SIL (formerly Summer Institute of Linguistics)
Includes dictionaries and lexicography, language assessment, language technology, literacy and education, media development, orthography, translation, anthropology, arts and ethnomusicology, linguistics, sign languages, and sociolinguistics.
Research on Words
This website contains a variety of translated material in a PDF format. The “Research On Words” project is a work in progress which began 45 years ago! Focus on Tibetan Bible. Includes Questions and Answers on the Christian Faith (Long Catechism).
Basic books on Linguistics
Articulatory Phonetics by Anita Bickford and Rick Floyd
A basic textbook of all the different sounds in languages and that your mouth can make. An explanation of the International Phonetic Alphabet.
Analyzing Discourse: A Manual of Basic Concepts by Robert Dooley and Steven Levinsohn
"Analyzing Discourse is an introduction to discourse analysis for linguistic field workers. It is practical, addressing issues commonly confronted by field linguists. Rather than applying a rigid theory or surveying a variety of approaches, it provides a methodology that has been refined over years of use. The material follows a functional and cognitive approach that seems to be a good approximation of how discourse is actually produced and understood."
Books of Interest
At the Foot of the Snows: A Journey of Faith and Words Among the Kham-speaking people of Nepal by David and Steve Watters.
Story of linguistic/translation work among the Kham-Magar people of Nepal.
God Spoke Tibetan by Allan Mabery
Inspiring story of the original translation of the Bible into Tibetan.