Sounds, Lexicon, Culture and Talking Dictionaries: In Conversation With Linguist K. David Harrison

The AIDEM’s second episode of the Verse Series, Season II in collaboration with O Trust is with Professor K. David Harrison, a linguist, anthropologist, author and advocate for the documentation and revitalisation of endangered languages. For the Verse Series, Prof. Harrison is interviewed by Lakshmi Krishnakumar, founder and chairperson of O Trust, Shakespeare scholar and theatre director.

He is currently serving as Associate Provost for Academic Programs and Professor of Linguistics at Swarthmore College. Since 2007, Harrison has been affiliated with the National Geographic Society, co-directing their Enduring Voices Project and providing cultural expertise for expeditions, publications and web-content.

His research explores the sounds, lexicon, grammar, and cultural knowledge found in the world’s languages. In his laboratory at Swarthmore College, Harrison works with students and speakers of minority and endangered languages to create Talking Dictionaries and other digital tools.

Harrison co-starred in Ironbound Films’ Emmy-nominated 2008 documentary film The Linguists, bringing attention to efforts to preserve dying languages. Harrison has authored several books and lectures widely on the value of linguistic and cultural diversity.