Next June, the College of Liberal Arts will be hosting the 2026 Institute on Collaborative Language Research, also known as CoLang. From June 22 to July 10, 2026 this nation-wide event will bring hundreds of people from around the world to campus to focus on the research behind saving and celebrating languages that are at risk of disappearing.
This hands-on, community-centered program will bring together scholars, Indigenous language activists and students for three weeks of collaboration, sharing tools, building partnerships and advancing the vital work of language documentation and revitalization.
What do these three weeks at CoLang look like?
CoLang will have two activity-filled sections:
- Workshops (the first 2 weeks): These sessions cover a wide range of topics, everything from how to record and preserve a language to how to support communities in bringing their languages back to everyday life. Led by experts and community leaders, the workshops are interactive and inclusive.
- Practica (the third and final week): Participants will roll up their sleeves and dive deep into real-world language work. They'll partner with communities to study, document and support a specific endangered or lesser-known language.
Why host CoLang in Reno, Nevada?
Reno is more than a scenic mountain town – it’s a cultural crossroads. Nevada is home to 20 federally recognized Native American tribes and the University of Nevada, Reno sits on the traditional lands of the Washoe (Wasiw) and Northern Paiute (Numu) peoples. Being surrounded by such a rich cultural and linguistic heritage makes Reno the perfect place for CoLang.
Participants will also enjoy local field trips, guest speakers and performances that highlight the voices and traditions from people of the region. With Lake Tahoe and Pyramid Lake nearby, known to the Washoe and Paiute communities as Dáʔaw and Kooyooe’e Pa’a Panunadu, this setting offers inspiration for language learning rooted in place.
"Strengthening Solidarity, Overcoming Obstacles, Forging Our Future"
The theme for CoLang 2026 is "Strengthening solidarity, overcoming obstacles, forging our Future." In a time when many languages around the world are endangered, CoLang offers hope. It's about coming together, sharing knowledge and creating lasting partnerships between universities and communities. Whether you’re a linguist, a community activist or just passionate about keeping cultures alive through language, CoLang is for you.
Thank you to the supporters:
CoLang is honored to receive a $247,926 award from the National Science Foundation in support of CoLang 2026 — affirming the importance of community-led language work.
If you’re interested in further supporting CoLang 2026, please contact Ignacio Montoya.
Special thanks to the organizing committee:
- Ignacio Montoya, associate professor of linguistics, CoLang 2026 Co-Director
- Daphne Emm-Hooper, director of Indigenous Relations, CoLang 2026 Co-Director
- Katharine Donalson, CoLang program coordinator
Join us in Reno in 2026, where words unite us and strengthen the connection between local and academic communities. Stay tuned for more details!
