In Berlin, from 9 to 11 September 2026, the Language Documentation & Archiving (LD&A) conference was held, focusing on language documentation and archiving, as well as the preservation of linguistic and cultural diversity. The conference brings together researchers, experts, activists, and others working on language documentation, the creation and preservation of language archives, and the development of new methods and technologies that help keep linguistic heritage accessible to future generations.
Among the projects presented at the conference was StivorLing. The project was presented by Professor Marija Runić and Rossella Montibeler, who introduced the fieldwork carried out so far, their experiences working with speakers, and the process of collecting linguistic materials. The presentation also focused on Štivor, placing it within the broader context of the linguistic and cultural diversity of Prnjavor through the concept of the “Little Europe”.
Taking part in the conference in Berlin was an important opportunity to present the project’s experience to an international audience of experts, as well as to exchange knowledge and experiences with researchers working on similar issues in different parts of the world. For StivorLing, encounters of this kind are an important part of its ongoing work: documenting a language is not only about recording linguistic materials, but also about helping preserve part of a community’s history, identity, and memory.
