Investigating a People Group or Population Segment (adapted from IMB manual)

 

  1. Characteristics of the population
    1. What is the history of this people, including ethnolinguistic origins and recent history?
    2. How would you describe their culture?
    3. To what extent has this people been assimilated into the surrounding peoples’ culture?
    4. With what other people groups does this people share cultural affinities?

 

  1. What is this people’s language like?
    1. To what linguistic family does it belong, and what are some related languages?
    2. What is the relationship between this language and the national language?
    3. To what extent are the people bilingual?
    4. Is this a literate or an oral language only?
    5. What is the status of literacy in this language and in the national language?
    6. What is the status of Scripture translation into this language?
    7. What bilingual dictionaries are available for this language?
    8. Where do diaspora communities exist from which to learn this language?

 

  1. What is the status of education among this people?
    1. What is the literacy rate?
    2. What problems are there regarding education?
    3. Are there any schools where English is taught?

 

  1. What is the demographic make-up of this people?
    1. What is the total population of this people?
    2. In what geographic region are they dispersed?
    3. What is the relationship between this people and the larger national/regional population?
    4. What other ethnolinguistic groups live in the vicinity of this people?

 

  1. What is this people’s geographic location?
    1. What are the terrain and climate like?
    2. How does the terrain affect the people’s lifestyle (health, livelihood, isolation etc.)?
    3. In what major urban centres do these people live?
    4. What are the major towns, cities, and villages where they live?
    5. What natural contacts exist between this people and other ethnolinguistic groups living outside this region?

 

  1. What is the current political status of this people?
    1. What is the national political structure?
    2. What is the regional political structure?
    3. To what extent is this people engaged in the local, regional, or national political structure?
    4. What if any political events relate this people to the broader political context?

 

  1. What is the economic status of this people?
    1. What is the national, regional, or local policy regarding economic practice?
    2. To what extent doesgeography dictate economics for this people?
    3. What is the distribution of wealth among this people like?
    4. How does this people’s economic situation compare with that of the rest of the nation, and with the rest of the world?
    5. What trade routes or economic ties exist between this people and neighbouring people or urban centres or neighbouring countries?
    6. What economic trends do you see among this people/

 

  1. What is the religious status of this people?
    1. What is the predominant religion?
    2. What minority religions or sects exist?
    3. What peculiar characteristics or deviations from the mainstream of these religions exist among this people?
    4. What is the percentage of this people adhering to each of the main religions?
    5. What religious trends are underway among this people?

 

  1. What is the status of communication and technology among this people?
    1. How many have electricity?
    2. How many have access to television and radio?
    3. What technological trends do you see among this people?

 

10. What additional information have you found out about this people?