Listen to the lost languages of California: Researchers recover audio of native languages with no su

[Judi Lynn]

Listen to the lost languages of California: Researchers recover audio of native languages with no surviving speakers from century-old wax cylinders

Researchers working to digitally restore audio from thousands of wax cylinders

California was home to at least 78 distinct indigenous languages, experts say

But, many of these died out in recent years with their last surviving speakers

Living descendants say cylinders are a crucial tool in keeping languages alive

Researchers have been using optical scan technology to restore the archive

By CHEYENNE MACDONALD FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 14:01 EDT, 15 June 2018 | UPDATED: 14:08 EDT, 15 June 2018


A digitization effort led by an anthropological museum in California is working to revive the ‘lost languages’ of more than 70 indigenous tribes that have long called the Golden State home.

Researchers with UC Berkeley’s Phoebe A. Hearst Museum of Anthropology have embarked on a mission to restore audio captured over 100 years ago on thousands of wax cylinders, which have, in some cases, suffered extensive damage at the hands of time.

Cylinders were created using the Edison phonograph and allowed, for the first time, for audio to be captured and replayed.

Among the many remarkable recordings are the songs and musings of Ishi – who was the last surviving member of California’s Yahi tribe before his death in 1916.

More:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-5849519/Researchers-recover-audio-native-languages-no-surviving-speakers-wax-cylinders.html