IRES: Documenting and analyzing Creole languages

This IRES project advances documentary and theoretical linguistics through the study of Creole languages, combining field-based data collection with computational and statistical methods. Each year, six U.S. undergraduate and graduate students conduct five-week fieldwork in Creole-speaking countries (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Haiti, Mauritius, and Seychelles), employing cutting-edge techniques in language documentation, experimental design, and quantitative analysis. Working with international partners, participants investigate structural properties across phonetics, morphology, and syntax while examining sociolinguistic patterns of use, creating robust datasets for theoretical analysis. The program emphasizes open science principles, with results contributing to comparative linguistic research and publicly accessible digital archives of Creole language resources. By training students in both traditional documentary methods and modern computational approaches, the project bridges disciplinary gaps in linguistic research while promoting U.S. student engagement. The international team of mentors guides students in developing statistically rigorous research protocols that address both theoretical questions and community-identified priorities. Outcomes include advancements in contact language theory, enhanced research capacity for participating institutions, and sustainable resources for Creole-speaking communities. Through conferences, workshops, and digital platforms, the project shares findings with both academic audiences and the public, fostering broader understanding of linguistic pluralism. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.