The Kanak languages of New Caledonia constitute a highly diverse ensemble that reflects
the linguistic richness of contemporary Oceania. They comprise around thirty languages and
dialectal varieties, supplemented by a creole and a Polynesian outlier, and exhibit a wide range
of phonological and morphosyntactic features. This typological diversity is accompanied by
contrasting sociolinguistic situations, with a high level of endangerment, notably shaped by a
long-standing diglossic relationship with French and by a pervasive sense of linguistic insecurity
frequently expressed by individuals who inherit these languages, whether or not they identify
as speakers.
In such a context, the work of linguists extends beyond the sole task of linguistic description
and increasingly takes the form of applied—and at times involved—engagement at the
intersection of community, institutional, and academic expectations. Explicit or implicit
demands for support in linguistic revitalization, whether from communities, public institutions,
or even students, question the professional postures conventionally associated with fieldwork.
They also raise broader issues regarding the forms of knowledge production and dissemination,
particularly when linguists live and teach in the territory that constitute their research sites.
This seminar offers an opportunity to reflect on the position of the linguist working in the
specific context of New Caledonia, as well as more generally in contexts involving minoritized
languages. Following an overview of the key sociolinguistic and language-policy dynamics of
New Caledonia, the presentation will draw on reflexive insights and a series of examples from
my own experience.
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Développement, Neurocognition, Dysfonctionnements
Diversité Linguistique et ses Sources
