The rainforest sign languages of Borneo Island as documented and published by only a small number of anthropologists differ between the tribes yet have a common pattern. The jungle sign languages consist of a stick of varying length. Clefts cut into it hold a number of folded leaves, twigs and branches, which carry different meanings constituting the message [3,4]. Messages such as event announcements, warnings, instructions and information can be communicated to other nomadic families of the same tribe (able to read the message). In case of the Murut’s sign, the message contains the identity of the writer and placed in public spaces as public message [14]. These signs generally refer to ceremonial or hunting practices and describe the details of activities such as the direction of hunting, type, gender and size of hunted animal, weapon used for hunting, age, gender and personal or family affiliation of the writer. Few signs are for taboo in force, dangerous traps, marriage or death ceremonies, types of food given and the number of people attended the ceremony. Burrough reported that the Dusun (Kadazan) community uses signs and message sticks only to communicate with the spirit of their wet-paddi [3]. The Penan are recognized as the prodigies of jungle travel and sign reading [15]. The Penan often traveled in groups, where the leading group left messages for the following once. Arnold [15] illustrates a few messages, demonstrating the richness of expression, e.g. messages such as: The first group waited a long time for the second concerning an urgent matter. Thus the second group is now requested to travel through the night to catch up.In general, the literature references to the rainforest sign language hardly exceeded one paragraph and a number of examples of messages illustrated by drawings.
An excerpt from the paper Penan’s Oroo Short Message Signs (PO-SMS): Co-design of A Digital Jungle Sign Language Application
Sand drawings are a medium of communication among the members of the various language groups living in the north of the Vanuatu archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean. Sand drawings uniquely
express the deep understanding of the land, conveying a sense of community, identity, and interaction with nature and history.
An innovative use of newer technologies to rekindle smoke signals as they were used by Native Americans has been developed by Dennis Be Bel. Native Americans used smoke signals from smudge fires to exchange information over great distances and across cultures. Dennis Be Bel developed smoke messaging service iPhone add-on hardware case that will release puffs of smoke to communicate securely with others. At the push of a button, lamp-oil is heated and vaporized, sending a little cloud of smoke up in the air. This iPhone cover allows two people to speak to each other using agreed upon common and programmed code. So the users can assign their own code, number of puffs for a sentence such as two puffs for “how are you?” and three puffs for “I am fine”, however it will be difficult to manage complex conversation with this tool. The app in its current form rather has entertainment value than a serious language authenticity.
Although whistled languages can be found around the world, they are rare, and few are likely to survive in the long term [9]. Silbo Gomero is not endangered but a unique indigenous way of communication. There are approximate 22,000 numbers of speakers or rather whistlers [10]. Silbo Gomero uses whistles meant to mimic the sounds of four vowels and four consonants, which, when used in conjunction, are able to create a vocabulary of over 4,000 intelligible words. Silbo Gomero can be understood at a distance of up to two miles, much further and with less effort than shouting. Some of the highly skilled whistlers are able to send messages from one end of the island to another.
If we want to support the Mongolian people, the best thing we can do is to show the world what a remarkable and rich culture they have, and the best way we can do that, I think, is to create games that introduce and promote Mongolian language, culture and history. Games that appeal to people not only in Asia but all over the world. Games that can be played by all ages, and that don’t require a good internet connection or even electricity.Our game is called ULUS, a Mongolian word that means empire, or land, or home. It’s a card game that—very appropriate for a traditionally nomadic culture—comes in a bag that you flatten out and use as the game mat. For more information visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/endangeredatlas/ulus-a-game-to-save-a-culture/