5. Do economic endeavors weaken the vernacular?
If a community feels they need to use a language other than their vernacular to become economically successful, it may favor use of that language over the vernacular. This is especially true if
they have ample employment opportunity in contexts where the vernacular is not used. These considerations lead to the following indicator:
• The need and opportunity to use a language other than the vernacular at work does not affect a large portion of the population.
A description of the community’s economic situation in regard to language use may inform our overall assessment of vitality. This indicator was evaluated using probes on the main survey
questionnaire.
2.2 Goal 2: Assess the willingness of the target group to work with the other potential
language groups in the LRIG project Three research questions were used to assess goal 2. They are listed below with corresponding indicators.
1. Does the target group currently cooperate with the other potential LRIG project groups?
Current cooperation with the other groups in other areas shows that there are no disputes big enough to disrupt relations between the groups. It is assumed that if the groups are able to cooperate in
other areas and if they desire to be involved in the LRIG project, cooperation with the other groups will not be an issue.
The following indicators will help us answer the first research question: • The groups currently cooperate in traditional areas, e.g. marriage, traditional dances, feasts.
• The groups currently cooperate in religious endeavors such as church work days, joint religious services.
• The groups currently cooperate in financial endeavors such as shared transportation and cash crops.
These indicators were assessed using an instrument called the Social Network Tool. The data from this instrument can be analyzed in a number of different ways, but one way we will look at it will be to
create a macro social network map of the area. Using this we will be able to see with whom villages are connected and how strongly they are connected. Patterns can be analyzed to show which language
groups are socially connected to each other, which will also reveal if any of the groups are outside of the social networks of the other groups.
2. Does the target group express willingness to work with the other potential LRIG project groups?
The answer to any direct question should not be taken at face value, but it is important to ask. In most Papua New Guinean cultures it is more important to please someone than to be brutally honest. For
this reason the answers given to my questions can be more what the audience thinks would please someone than to provide an honest answer if it is perceived that such is not the desired answer.
However, having the official answer from respondents will then give us a baseline to compare with the other data.
The indicators that will help us answer the second research question are the following: • The groups express a willingness to work with the other language groups.
• There is no disagreement with the expressed willingness. These indicators were dealt with by a series of questions in the main questionnaire. Observations
will also be used to determine the group dynamics as these questions are being answered. Disagreement may not be openly expressed or impact the official answer given, but should be noted as it may help to
reveal patterns in other data.
3. Has the target group had disagreements with the other potential LRIG project groups in the past?
Past disagreement may be shared more readily than current disputes. A history of disputes may also be of concern even if there are no current issues.
The indicators that will answer the third research question, even if no current issues are mentioned, are the following:
• The groups were not traditional enemies. • There have been no disputes in this generation.
These indicators were assessed using the questionnaire. Observation will also be helpful as these questions are discussed and answered by the group.
2.3 Goal 3: Assess the interest of the target group in vernacular language development
