Abstract
I currently conduct a project called MAI-Ryukyus to support new speakers of Ryukyuan languages based on Hinton’s Master/Mentor-Apprentice Language Learning Program as part of my PhD research. Research questions are what drive new speakers to speak Ryukyuan languages, how to acquire Ryukyuan languages without compromising their diversity, and what the Ryukyuan (research) paradigm will look like. Based on the interim findings, I discuss psychological traumas of Ryukyuan language speakers, how to develop language competence and maintain the diversity of Ryukyuan languages, and the impact of the current Japanese government's administration on the Ryukyuan (research) paradigm and Ryukyuan languages.
