Translating into an endangered language: filling in lexical gaps as Language Making

Abstract In this article, we analyse translation in the context of revitalisation from point view Language Making. Both and are based on idea languages as distinct entities, together they doubly inclined to draw clear-cut borders between languages. The data come a series courses targeted at speakers learners Karelian, critically endangered Finnic language spoken Finland Russia. By analysing reflective assignments course participants focusing how report encountering overcoming lexical gaps, examine very concrete case Making: creation new items for Karelian purposes task. Since coining neologisms our is mostly borrowing or calquing, illustrate perceive boundaries connections other Contrary what intersection suggests, rather flexible linguistic displayed. Participants fill gaps by drawing all resources available them: mainly Finnish Russian, but also “international” occasionally dialects. To lesser extent, display participants’ competing conflicting ideologies belongs it which whose model base neologisms.