Amazigh came up in today's discussion [Sept 14] - I've attached an article
[below] I
came across when trawling for last week's discussion. It touches on
how the introduction of "new" media (including the walkman, VCR, and
the Internet) has supported the preservation/promotion of Amazigh
language and culture. I found the VCR bit particularly interesting.

<P><A HREF="http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~ref/publiccs/NewMediaAndAmazigh.pdf">
NewMediaAndAmazigh.pdf</A>

<P>
"First, this paper describes the Amazigh people of North Africa and
threats to their language and culture from schooling and the
domination of Arabo-Islamic ideology. Second, it discusses how modern
technology is amplifying cultural safeguards, such as folklore, music,
and some print media. Then the idea is developed that inherent in
these new communication technologies is something more than an
amplifier of the traditional, something that may be a new and
extremely powerful force for preserving and shaping the identity of
cultural minorities. The new technologies are impacting the knowledge
and attitudes of individuals, both affirming cultural identity and
developing a cosmopolitan perspective in a way that will spread
through society."