Language Revitalization Working Group

The Language Revitalization Working Group offers a space for folks involved with (or interested in) language revitalization to gather, share, present, discuss, and improve their language revitalization efforts. LRWG is open to all - grad and undergrad students, faculty, staff, and community members; you don't need to be affiliated with UC Berkeley to attend. 

In Spring 2026, we will meet every other Wednesday at 3(:10)pm (PST) in a hybrid format: if you're on campus you can join us in-person in Dwinelle 1303, and if you're not, you can join via Zoom.

For more information, or to be added to our mailing list, please contact Anna Macknick (macknick@berkeley.edu) or Tyler Lee-Wynant (tleewynant@berkeley.edu). If you'd like to attend any of our events but have questions/concerns about accessibility or other accommodations, please reach out via email.

For the 2025-2026 academic year, we are honored and proud to be sponsored by the Townsend Center for the Humanities.


Spring 2026 Meeting Schedule:

Interested in leading a discussion, workshop, or presentation at a LRWG meeting this spring? Please reach out to Anna Macknick (macknick@berkeley.edu) or Tyler Lee-Wynant (tleewynant@berkeley.edu).

January 28: see concurrently scheduled talk in the Departmenf of Linguistics

This spring, the Department of Linguistics will be welcoming several candidates for a position in language revitalization. One of these candidates will be presenting a talk during our usual meeting time. We encourage you to attend this if interested! More details will be shared through our email list. 

February 11: TBA

February 25: TBA

March 11: TBA

April 8: TBA

April 22: TBA


Previous meetings (Fall 2025)

November 5: Jonathan Cirelli

Jonathan Cirelli 

Jonathan Cirelli is the Language Program Manager and a member of Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake. In this talk, he will discuss ongoing work in the Language Program and the challenges that having little to no speakers have presented for it, especially for creating their writing system. He will also discuss ongoing work with the CLA.

October 22: Balancing Identities in Language Work During Autumn

Cuitlahuac Arreola Martinez

This talk explores the intersection of Native and Eurocentric identities in language teaching and learning during the autumn months. It focuses on how identity markers such as Brown, Native, Indigequeer, Latine, and Chicane are navigated while maintaining ties to ancestral languages and practices. Set against the backdrop of key cultural events like Hispanic/Latine Heritage Month, Indigenous Peoples Day and Día de Muertos, the talk highlights how seasonal transitions shape language and identity.

Cuitlahuac Arreola Martinez is an independent academic and language activist who founded the Speaknahuatl.com collective in 2018. Originally from Southern and Baja California, with familial roots in Jalisco and Sinaloa, Mexico, they now live in Oregon. Since 2017, they have taught Nahuatl with elements of Native and Mesoamerican Studies online and in person. They have been invited to give classes and lectures at universities, museums and cultural centers in the USA and Mexico. 

October 8: Designated Emphasis in Indigenous Language Revitalization: Welcome and Info Session

Snacks + Inspiration + Connection 

You are invited! 

On Wednesday October 8, 3:10–4pm in Dwinelle 1303 we will be holding a welcome and information session for the Designated Emphasis in Indigenous Language Revitalization.

 This will be an opportunity for prospective DE students to ask questions of DE faculty and current DE students and for everyone to talk about their language interests and work, and generally just spend time together.  

This year's deadline for applying to the DE is November 2nd. Questions? Email ling-GSAO@berkeley.edu  

Looking forward to seeing you at our DE Welcome and Info session event!

September 24: Mini Zine Workshop

Anna Macknick (UC Berkeley)

This hands-on workshop will demonstrate how 8-page mini zines can offer a low-tech, low-resource option for the development of language materials - containing mini grammar lessons, short stories, mini glossaries, or any other content that can be shrunk into eight little pages. We will look at examples using this mini zine format, walk through templates using different levels of tech (Adobe InDesign, Canva, or simply paper and pen), and learn the simple cut-and-fold process.

All supplies will be provided for in-person participants, and you’ll leave the workshop with copies of your own mini zine to share. If you're joining over Zoom, make sure you have paper, scissors, and writing/drawing materials. If you've attended last year's zine workshop, feel free to bring what you made to show to others!

September 10: Fall Welcome

Join us for our first event of the school year where we will be eating snacks, socializing and taking turns sharing about the LR work we're involved with. It'll also be an opportunity to ask for and give advice about projects. No need to prepare anything - come as you are!