Launching the Script Keepers Network
I’ve been studying and trying to promote indigenous and minority writing systems for 15 years, and yet I’m all too aware that most people have no awareness whatever of script loss as an issue, and when I say “Endangered Alphabets” most people still hear “Endangered languages.” There is little or no funding for even the study of writing systems, most college and universities don’t teach about them, and few non-profits and NGOs are involved. With all this in mind, I am pledging to create a global network of Script Keepers–that is, people all over the world who care about script preservation and revival.
Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a global effort to recognize the importance of minority cultures and their scripts, and to introduce a new attitude in which they are regarded with respect as equals.
The Script Keepers already operate in many important fields. They may be people who created scripts for their community, or who are working to revive a traditional script. They may be linguists, librarians, translators, politicians, digitizers, calligraphers, font designers, civil servants, researchers, teachers, advocates, writers, documentarians, podcasters and producers. Raising awareness is as important as anything else.
Some will focus on a single script, others will be interested in script revival in general.
It took 25 years for the good people working in endangered languages to raise worldwide attention to their concerns. The Script Keepers have the advantage of walking in their footsteps, to some degree. We will start changing people’s awareness of the value and importance of minority scripts within twelve months.
At the moment, being a Script Keeper doesn’t involve any commitment of time, energy or money. The most valuable first step is to know that other people are out there, working along the same lines. The second step is to contact others who, like you, might be doing vital work in isolation, and might benefit from collaboration.
If you’re interested, please contact me at tim@endangeredalphabets.com.
