Indigenous Language Archivist & Field Researcher

National Heritage Council of South Africa; Mahikeng; On-site; ZAR 1,000 - 1,300; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & life insurance

Professional development allowance

Remote work flexibility

Field travel support

Heritage training programs

Job summary

National Heritage Council of South Africa seeks an Indigenous Language Documentation Specialist to document languages, analyze linguistic data, and digitize archives. You will collaborate with communities, elders, and educators to develop preservation strategies aligned with UNESCO guidelines.

The role merges fieldwork in rural and urban communities with office research, emphasizing ethical engagement and the creation of accessible digital resources for education and cultural heritage.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Linguistics or Cultural Studies is required.
• 3-5 years in language documentation or cultural research.
• Experience working with indigenous communities and fieldwork.

Responsibilities

• Conduct fieldwork to document indigenous languages, including phonetics, grammar, and vocabulary.
• Develop digital archives and interactive tools for language preservation.
• Collaborate with communities to create educational resources and training programs.
• Produce reports and publications on linguistic research findings.
• Advocate for policy frameworks supporting language rights and cultural heritage.

Skills

Linguistic analysis

Cross-cultural communication

Digital documentation

Independent work

Community engagement

Education

Master’s Degree in Linguistics

Master’s Degree in Anthropology or Cultural Studies

Tools

ELAN

FLEx

Job description

National Heritage Council of South Africa seeks an Indigenous Language Documentation Specialist to document languages, analyze linguistic data, and digitize archives. You will collaborate with communities, elders, and educators to develop preservation strategies aligned with UNESCO guidelines.

The role merges fieldwork in rural and urban communities with office research, emphasizing ethical engagement and the creation of accessible digital resources for education and cultural heritage.