Originally a department of the Institute of Cultural Research (ICR), the Institute of Linguistic Research was established as a separate institution under the Ministry of Information and Culture in 1999. Its functions include: (i) research on Lao and ethnic minority language and writing systems; (ii) surveying and collecting data on the languages spoken in the Lao PDR for use in linguistic research; (iii) disseminating information in the form of books, journals, photographs, videotapes and exhibitions, (iv) co-ordination with schools and other acadenic institutions on matters of curriculum and rsearch; (v) co-ordination with the National University of Laos (NUOL) on the training of linguists; (vi) improvement in the quality of the Institute by increasing awareness of Lao and ethnic minority languages; and (vii) co-ordination with universities and academic institutions overseas. Its current research activities are focused on how to protect the purity of the Lao language from the threat posed by Thai and on the languages of the ethnic minorities. Subject to funding the Institute publishes the following journal every six months: