Young Linguists' Mentorship 2.0
Working with Endangered Languages of North East | 8-15 December, 2025
NEILAC Mentorship Programme – 2025 (NYLM-25) is a unique opportunity for students, PhD scholars and early-career researchers in Linguistics to participate in an intensive mentorship program focused on language description and description (grammar writing). The program will be led by two distinguished mentors: Prof. Mary Dalrymple, Professor Emerita, University of Oxford, a world-renowned linguist and expert in syntax, semantics, and language documentation and Dr. Vijay D’Souza, Director of NEILAC and an expert in phonology, language documentation, and revitalization. Participants will receive personalized guidance from the mentors through one-on-one and group mentorship sessions, focusing on key subjects such as Language Documentation, morphosyntax, semantics, language description, and linguistic data collection and annotation. Special attention will be given to using tools like FLEx and ELAN for effective linguistic analysis.
Program Highlights:
- Intensive Mentorship: Personalized guidance from mentors, particularly in organising and analysing your data.
- Hands-On Training in data collection, annotation, and description of endangered languages.
- Small Class Size: Ensures quality mentorship.
Intensive, guided personal work based on hands-on training and practical exercises.
You are welcome to apply if you are passionate about preserving and promoting North East Indian endangered languages and,
a linguist interested in documenting North-Eastern languages
a linguist interested in writing a grammar of a North-East Indian language and wish to use your field data in your work
someone interested in learning linguistic software (ELAN, FLEx, and SayMore) and/or creating dictionaries for endangered languages
a postdoctoral researcher, PhD scholar, or postgraduate student working on the grammar, semantics, or documentation of endangered languages of North-East India.
- You have collected linguistic data and seek guidance on analysing it for your thesis/dissertation.
- You want to convert your thesis into a series of articles or a book and would like feedback and guidance.
- You have a draft of an article based on field data on any North East language (morphosyntax only) and seek guidance or feedback.
- You have specific questions or challenges in collecting, organising and analysing your linguistic data and want guidance on how to proceed.
- Early Bird Application Deadline: 10 October, 2025
- Second Round Deadline (if places are available): 25 October, 2025
Training: Free
Food and accommodation: Subsidised rate – Rs. 500 per day
Travel costs: To be borne by participants.
Your linguistic data, laptop, smartphone, headphones/earphones, and other regular stationery.
1. I am a student of linguistics but feel that I don’t know enough of linguistics to be able to work with the language I am studying. Will the programme benefit me?
Yes, you may apply provided you have already collected at least some field data and are looking for ways to organise and analyse it. You will be guided on your reading and further steps.
2. My data is messy and I am not confident in my analysis. Should I apply?
No need to worry—this is a common experience while working with understudied languages. The mentorship benefit you.
3. Will there be many classes?
There will be some classes and lectures. You should be ready to spend many hours in hands on practice based on the feedback by the mentors.
4. I am a PhD Scholar. What if there is a clash of ideas between my thesis guide and the resource persons at the mentorship program?
The mentorship is designed to support your work without imposing any particular theory or school of thought. You remain in control of your own work.
5. How do I know if I am selected?
You should apply using the link provided above. We will be shortlisting the potential participants soon after the deadline. The shortlisted candidates will be interviewed online and, if selected, will be invited to register.
6. Is online mentorship available?
No. This is an in-person programme.
To apply for the Mentorship Programme hosted by NEILAC, please follow the instructions below:
- Read the Programme Details Carefully: Before applying, make sure to read all the relevant information about the mentorship program.
- Complete the Application Form: To apply, click the link at the end of this section to access the Application Form. The form will ask for your personal details, academic background, research focus, and application materials. Please ensure that you have all the necessary documents ready for upload.
- Required Application Materials: You will need to upload the following documents:
- Your CV: Please use the following naming convention: YourFullName_CV_MP_Dec24 (e.g., JohnDoe_CV_MP_Dec25).
- A Writing Sample: This can be an article or thesis chapter demonstrating your work. Name the file: YourFullName_WritingSample_MP_Dec25.
- Draft for Feedback (if applicable): If you wish to work on a specific draft during the program, upload it with the naming convention: YourFullName_DraftRewrite_MP_Dec25.
- Statement of Intent: A one-page description of how you plan to contribute to the communities you work with. Use the following naming convention: YourFullName_Statement_MP_Dec2025.
- Accommodation and Meals: If you need accommodation support, please indicate whether you would like to avail subsidized accommodation at Rs 500 per day. This includes meals.
- Selection Process:
- You will be notified if you are shortlisted for an interview. If selected, you will need to cover your own travel expenses and agree to NEILAC’s housekeeping guidelines and program requirements.
For any further questions about the program, feel free to contact us at neilac@neilac.org.in