Documentation of Moklenic languages

Moken and Moklen are languages spoken by two of Thailand’s three “Sea Peoples” groups, with speakers located along the coast of the southern Thai peninsula. As one of the few Austronesian subgroups of Mainland Southeast Asia, Moklenic languages serve as an additional example of the linguistic diversity of the region and an interesting case study of language contact. However, as these are minority languages, many Moklenic communities are faced with the prospect of continued language loss and endangerment. The Moklenic Documentation Program therefore brings together an interdisciplinary team which aims to not only document and better understand the Moken and Moklen languages, but to work to create a context where Moklenic culture and traditional knowledge can be reposited and shared.