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2026

Field Visit to Phuzur, Jangbi and Wangling Villages

10-25 February 2026

Sonam travelled to Trongsa district to conduct fieldwork among the speakers of Monkha in the villages of Phuzur (her home village), Jangbi, and Wangling.

During the visit, she completed the sociolinguistic survey of all households in these villages. She also interacted with Pamo Dorjimo, one of the two remaining Pamo (female "Bon" or pre-Buddhist practitioners) in the villages. Pamo Dorjimo provided detailed information on the various patrilineal clans (or "castes") that were once found among the Monpa people and which of these clans still exist today. Sonam also clarified several outstanding questions concerning the transcription and translation of earlier recordings.

From 18 February onwards, Sonam joined the Monpa community in celebrating Dawa Dangpai Losar, the traditional New Year celebration, which lasts several days. During the daytime, men play khuru (darts) and degor (stone put). At the same time, groups of women conduct changkor: they visit every household, sing traditional songs, and are then served ara, singchang, and bangchang, local alcoholic drinks, in return. In the evening, it is the men’s turn to perform changkor.

During Losar, the main meals of the day are taken together

During Losar, the main meals of the day are taken together.

Michael Bayona Joins the Lo-Rig Project

01 February 2026

On 1 February 2026, Michael Bayona joined the Lo-Rig project as a postdoctoral research fellow.

Michael specialises in speech processing and artificial intelligence. Within the project, he will apply and further develop computational methods for the analysis of Gongduk and Monkha, with a particular focus on accelerating the transcription and processing of recorded materials. His work will also contribute to the development of digital tools and applications that speakers can use to support and promote their respective languages.

Michael Bayona, Postdoctoral Research Fellow on the Lo-Rig project.

Michael Bayona, Postdoctoral Research Fellow on the Lo-Rig project.

The Lo-Rig project team warmly welcomes Michael and looks forward to a productive collaboration over the coming three years.

Visit to New Kaspi Village

30 January 2026

On 30 January 2026, Tim visited New Kaspi village in Singchung circle, where he met with Mr. Sani Bachung, a speaker of Bugun.

The visit formed part of the preparations for the Summer School on Ancient Trans-Himalayan Languages, organised by the Trinity Centre for Asian Studies in June 2026. Discussions focused on the structure and distinctive features of the Bugun language, as well as topics relevant to historical-comparative research in the region.

Sani Bachung enlightening Tim about the intricacies of the Bugun language.

Sani Bachung enlightening Tim about the intricacies of the Bugun language (January 2026).

Further information on the Summer School on Ancient Trans-Himalayan Languages can be found on the Trinity Centre for Asian Studies website.

Research Visit to the Central Institute for Himalayan Culture Studies

29 January 2026

On 29 January 2026, Tim visited the Central Institute for Himalayan Culture Studies (CIHCS) at Dahung, Singchung circle, West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh. He had an extended discussion with the Institute's Director, Dr. Gurmet Dorjey.

Tim presented copies of his book Reconstruction of Proto-Western Kho-Bwa, as well as Ethnography of the Costumes of the Brokpa and Monpa People, which he co-authored with Dr. Michiko Wakita.

Letter and materials presented during the visit to CIHCS.

Materials presented during Tim's visit to the Central Institute for Himalayan Culture Studies (January 2026).

As the Institute had already closed for the winter break, interaction with students and staff was not possible during this visit. Nevertheless, Dr. Dorjey and Tim discussed the Institute's unique position within the culturally and linguistically diverse region of Western Arunachal Pradesh. CIHCS hosts staff, graduate and postgraduate students from a wide range of linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

The Institute expressed interest in developing cooperation with the Trinity Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences in areas of shared strength, including Buddhist Studies, Bhoti (Tibetan) language and literature, regional and local histories and hagiographies, and local religious belief systems and practices, including Bon traditions.

Research Visit to Rajiv Gandhi University

24–27 January 2026

Between 24 and 27 January 2026, Tim was graciously hosted by Dr. Lisa Lomdak, Assistant Professor at the Arunachal Institute for Tribal Studies (AITS) at Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU), Rono Hills, Doimukh, Arunachal Pradesh.

Despite 26 January being India’s Republic Day, the Vice Chancellor-in-charge, Prof. S.K. Nayak, took time to attend a short presentation delivered by Tim on possibilities for future research cooperation between AITS and the Trinity Centre for Asian Studies. Recognising the potential mutual benefits of such collaboration, the Vice Chancellor expressed his support for developing institutional cooperation.

Tim delivering his introduction to Trinity College Dublin.

Tim delivering his introduction to Trinity College Dublin at Rajiv Gandhi University (January 2026).

The Vice Chancellor-in-charge presenting a token of appreciation to Tim in the presence of Dr. Lisa Lomdak.

The Vice Chancellor-in-charge presenting a token of appreciation to Tim in the presence of Dr. Lisa Lomdak (January 2026).

On 27 January, Tim delivered two talks to graduate and postgraduate students and staff of RGU. He summarised the ethnolinguistic situation in Western Arunachal Pradesh, outlined the present state of research, and identified gaps in current knowledge as opportunities for future research, ideally to be undertaken by scholars and students from Arunachal Pradesh.

He also introduced Trinity College Dublin, the School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences, and the Trinity Centre for Asian Studies. Copies of his publications, Reconstruction of Proto-Western Kho-Bwa and Ethnography of the Costumes of the Brokpa and Monpa People, were presented to the Institute’s library.

Tim delivering his talk on the ethnolinguistic diversity of Western Arunachal Pradesh.

Tim delivering his talk on the ethnolinguistic diversity of Western Arunachal Pradesh (January 2026).

Tim with staff, scholars and students of the Arunachal Institute for Tribal Studies.

Tim with staff, scholars and students of the Arunachal Institute for Tribal Studies (January 2026).

Following the lectures, a frank and open discussion took place with attending students and staff. The exchange continued informally during a subsequent lunch in a local restaurant.

Sharing lunch with students and scholars of RGU AITS.

Sharing lunch with students and scholars of RGU AITS (January 2026).

The event received coverage in local media, including a report in The Arunachal Times.

Local media coverage of the event at AITS.

Local media coverage of the event at AITS (January 2026).

Local media coverage of the event at AITS.

Local media coverage of the event at AITS (January 2026).

Research Visit to Tezpur University

21-23 January 2026

Between the 21st and 23rd of January, Tim visited his alma mater, Tezpur University in Assam. Between 2012 and 2017, Tezpur University hosted Tim and his colleague from Bern University, Ismael Lieberherr, so that they could conduct their PhD thesis research. Prof. Dr. Madhumita Barbora (now retired) acted as their second supervisor. This time, the Head of the Department of Linguistics and Language Technology (DLLT), Prof. Dr. Arup Kumar Nath, organized a meeting on the 22nd of January, and gave Tim the opportunity to present a talk his talk on the ethnolinguistic situation in Western Arunachal Pradesh, the present state of research, and opportunities for future research. Tim also introduced Trinity College Dublin, the School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences, the Trinity Center for Asian Studies, and the Lo-Rig project.

Tim giving his talk to staff, graduates and postgraduates of DLLT.

Tim giving his talk to staff, graduates and postgraduates of DLLT (Tezpur University, January 2026).

The talk was well attended by staff and students of the Department. Tim also presented his "Reconstruction of Proto-Western Kho-Bwa" and in turn received three Tezpur University publications on the phonology, morphology, and syntax of seven previously under-described and endangered languages of Northeast India.

Publications on endangered languages of Northeast India by Tezpur University presented to Tim.

Publications on endangered languages of Northeast India presented to Tim by colleagues at Tezpur University.

Dr. Nath, Dr. Amalesh Gope and Tim also discussed potential cooperation between DLLT and the Centre for Language and Communication Studies (CLCS) at Trinity College Dublin the field of language documentation and description and phonetics and phonology.

DLLT staff and Master's and PhD students attending Tim's talk.

DLLT staff and Master's and PhD students attending Tim's talk (January 2026).

Research Visit to IIT Guwahati

18-20 January 2026

Between 18th and 20th of January, Prof. Dr. Priyankoo Sarmah, Professor of Linguistics in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG) hosted Tim and they discussed avenues for future research cooperation between the Center for Linguistic Science and Technology (CLST) at IITG and the Centre for Language & Communication Studies (CLCS) at TCD, particularly in the field of speech technology development.

Research Assistant Training in Thimphu

11 January 2026

Tim continued with training the Research Assistants Sonam and Rinchen at the Center for Bhutan and GNH Studies in Thimphu. They had made Monpa speech communities and with the transcription and translation of the recordings. This week, the Lo-Rig team was also joined by Ms. Tshering Om Tamang, the PhD candidate for the Lo-Rig project who will work on the documentation and description of Monkha. Together, the team discussed the research in detail and made a planning for the coming months.

Tshering sharing her knowledge and skills with Sonam and Rinchen during Research Assistant training in Thimphu, January 2026.

Tshering sharing her knowledge and skills with Sonam and Rinchen during Research Assistant training in Thimphu (January 2026).