The Kim and Bom Languages of Sierra Leone

This project documents two dying languages spoken in the coastal tidelands of south-eastern Sierra Leone. Only a few score speakers use Kim while even fewer know Bom; all are bilingual in Mende. The languages survive due to the remaining speakers' isolation in tiny fishing villages along a remote tidal estuary. Documentation of the language and culture is achieved by means of multiple media, performed collaboratively with Kim and Bom people themselves. In addition, Western graduate students, as well as students and lecturers from the national university are trained and actively participate in the project. All materials will be digitized and archived both locally and internationally. These products will form virtually the only documentation of the people and their language and could also provide the basis for any revitalization efforts.