Writing Matters

​Writing matters to me, and I am endlessly challenged and delighted to be able to write for a living. 

I've been working on an exciting project for the last two years that involves the preservation of endangered languages and writing. The reason I bring it up under writing matters is that this work is an example of one of many important ways that writing, and language, matter. This project involves the retelling of folk tales that are not otherwise written anywhere, and putting them into a narrative that makes a child want to read--to find out what  happens next. That's the goal, at least.

For the children who receive one of these books in the tribal region, this is often the first book they have ever owned, and one of only a handful that have ever been published in their native language. Language is the unique  voice of a people, and to be able to read your own stories, in your own language, gives you a sense that you matter, that your culture has a place in the wider world.

​In the United States, Native Americans have worked hard to preserve their beautiful languages. This is in step with those efforts, and I feel so very lucky to be involved in this work!

Endangered Languages 

 I am lucky to be working with a non-profit, all-volunteer group, Our Golden Hour (OGH). The team is led by a Harvard PhD candidate, Maung Nyeu. The group is helping to preserve the language and culture of the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. We edit, illustrate, and publish ancient native stories. These stories are used in small village schools to encourage reading, and mean a great deal to the children in the impoverished region. Further, the region is under serious threat, and the languages and culture are in significant danger of being completely obliterated. ​

​I edit stories from an oral tradition in a way that preserves the cultural tradition while reshaping the story to fit a written narrative--very challenging but very cool work! The books are printed with text in both English and the native language (Marma or Mro, so far), and are illustrated.  This is the first chance these children have ever had to read stories about their own culture, and in their native language. The books are also used to raise funds for the project and to encourage multi-cultural exposure in classrooms around the world. 

I work with people around the world in this project, and this is an amazing endeavor. Did I mention I feel SO lucky? I do!.

More About OGH

​​For more about OGH and about my wonderful friend, Maung Nyeu, please check out these links:
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Making-a-difference/2016/0121/Maung-Nyeu-is-helping-his-people-put-their-language-and-stories-on-record
http://southasiainstitute.harvard.edu/2015/06/saving-a-culture-book-by-book/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03hjw0k
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/06/130628-endangered-languages-scripts-bangladesh-indigenous-cultures-world/
Youtube video (watch from 4min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MUsRpzdELM

Books in the Harvard Widener Library

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Librarian at Harvard's Widener Library with OGH books
From Maung
"We are happy to share [the] news that our children’s books [have found a] home at Widener, a Harvard University library. It is an important milestone for team. Our cultures and languages were pushed to the brink of extinction with less than 40 elders [who knew] how to read and write in endangered languages. Now these books and children's stories in local languages will be preserved at [the Widener] library for many generations to come." (Facebook)

Denver Updates
Two of the books are in the Denver Public Library. Princess Monori, hot off the presses, will be submitted for inclusion in in the library's Western Authors' collection. I'll be at the Colorado Book Festival in early September to talk about the books and the project.

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