Development of a Linguistic Ecosystem: Creation and Management of Linguistic Resources on the Ogasawara Islands

Abstract

The Ogasawara Islands provide interesting examples of ways in which a linguistic ecosystem develops. The natural sciences offer tools, concepts and terminology to help us make sense of an ever-evolving island language. This paper, focuses on processes through which such a linguistic ecosystem expands, and proposes the specific categories of naming, coinage and conceptualization. It also examines ways in which island language can be managed, as other resources are, for the benefit of the islanders.