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Structure of Seminar. Context: lesser used languages in the digital ageGaelic's technological infrastructure'Gaelicisation' of the NetOrganisation ledThe participative Web'Planning for ICT and the Gaelic languagePolicy developmentResearch and development. Context: lesser used languag
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1. ‘Technologisation’ and the Gaelic Language: a new research agenda?
Marsaili MacLeod
University of Aberdeen
2. Structure of Seminar Context: lesser used languages in the digital age
Gaelic’s technological ‘infrastructure’
‘Gaelicisation’ of the Net
Organisation led
The ‘participative Web’
Planning for ICT and the Gaelic language
Policy development
Research and development
3. Context: lesser used languages in the digital age
4. ‘Technologisation’ – processes where technology and language converge
5. David Crystal’s thesis: One of six postulated for minority language ‘revitalisation’
“An endangered language will progress if its speakers can make use of electronic technology” (2002, 141)
Provides an ‘even playing field’ for languages
Enables identity to be no longer linked to geographical location
“ Whereas, traditionally, the geographical scattering of a community through migration has been an important factor in the dissolution of its language, in future this may no longer be the case. The Internet, along with the growth of faster and cheaper means of travel between locations, is altering our scenarios of endangerment”
(Crystal, 2002: 142)
6. He might also have added technology can: Make a language more accessible to second-language learners
Create a cultural resource through archiving, recording and digitisation
Increase and improve language literacy
Improve language status
Increase language functionality
7. Technology a new threat to lesser-used languages?
Is the Net enhancing English as the homogenising language medium of the ‘global village’?
Is the Net hastening the shift to an already dominant language?
8. Internet users per language
9. Growing increasingly multilingual! Formal, hierarchical structures
Rise in lesser used language material
Multi-translations of web content to meet growth in global e-commerce
Informal, populist activity
Participation in new web content
Development of new (open source) software
On-line blogs, chat rooms and discussion forums
10. Utopian vision?
“…the fact remains that the Internet, at this point, is overwhelmingly dominated by a handful of languages…even if some web sites arise which employ a local language, speakers of the local language will make greater use of the Internet in a non-local language.”
(Grenoble and Whaley, 2006: 10)
11. Concerns include: Volume of online material vs. active language use
Unequal development of PC and Web-based language technology:
Lack of resources
Paucity of technical expertise
Small language markets
12. “The weakest language-groups in the EU – both very small state languages and regional and minority languages, inhabit an IT environment that marginalises them through an absence of word-processors, spell-checkers, internet browsers, IT manuals in their language. There is a danger here that an Internet culture – indeed a computer culture – develops in which people either come to accept it as natural to use a language other than their own when using the Internet, or else feel excluded because of lack of fluency in another language”
(Thomas, et. al., 2000: 3)
13. Asking the following questions: How has the Gaelic language appropriated and benefited from digital technologies?
Is Gaelic’s engagement in IT led by organisations, individuals, or embodiments of the State?
Should the future development of technology form part of the strategy and planning functions of the new Gaelic language planning framework?
What knowledge/evidence is required to underpin future developments?
14. The Gaelic Technological Infrastructure
15. Differing language ideologies “The value of Gaelic lies precisely in the fact that it is not the language of commerce and technology, it is not the language of the mass media. It is the language into which one can retire from the hurly-burly of an over-busy world…It is a folk language, in which people still make their own songs and write their own poetry…Gaelic has no material value whatsoever and thank God for it. It is not the language of the rat race. That is its supreme value.”
(James Shaw Grant, 1972, quoted in Hutchinson, 2005: 99)
16. Key organisations/developments Expansion of the BBC Gaelic media service from the 1970s onwards
Delivery of tertiary courses at Sabhal Mňr Ostaig from the 1980s
SMO and BBC Gaelic ‘division’ constitute major adopters of technology in service delivery
Majority of employees working ‘in’ Gaelic
Technologically skilled, Gaelic speaking work force
Can add to that, Gaelic medium education (GME) and the institutions involved in its delivery
17. Content creation tools
Development of a range of online dictionaries
Stňr-dŕta
Faclair na Parlamaid
Sgrěobh word processing software and Gaelic keyboard from Iletec
Open Office Gŕidhlig 1.1
Scottish Executive funded
Targeted at GME
An Dearbhair / spellchecker
18. Search engine
19. E-Learning resources Online version of GRD established 1999
Gŕidhlig-air-loidhne established in 2004
Gaelic ICT Implementation Group
Primary and secondary education material – IT-based learning
Gaelic ‘profile raising’ interactive, multi-media, initiatives
20. Localisation Linguistically and culturally appropriate
Standard translated terminology
Standard IT terms
Standard abbreviations and acronyms
Differences in locales, alphabets and characters
Number, data and time formats
Gaelic alphabet 18 letters
Gaelic grave accents a e i o u
21. Language Resources An historical dictionary of Gaelic
Online dictionary
Online resources
Tobar an Dualchais
Digitisation of audio archives
Online resource
22. To summarise: A combination of educationally derived, public funded initiatives and other ad hoc developments
The primary components of Gaelic content creation are being developed
But could they be more widely disseminated?
There remain some gaps in the infrastructure
Grammatical aids
Email software
Machine translation, speech-technology
Mobile devices
23. ‘Gaelicisation’ of the Net Formal, organisational developments
24. The bilingual homepage Type 1: monolingual English with ‘button’ for ‘Gŕidhlig’ version (common)
Type 2: monolingual Gaelic with a ‘button’ for the English version (occasional)
Type 3: homepage designed solely to offer language choice (rare)
Type 4: entirely bilingual (rare)
Type 5: No Gaelic version offered (common)
None identified with registered domain in English and Gaelic
25. Type 1: Gŕidhlig version
26. Type 2: English version
27. Type 3: Language choice page
28. Type 4: Bilingual homepage
29. Type 5: No Gaelic version
30. Bilingual content Bilingual Interface
Gaelic projects, ‘Gaelic organisations’
Selected Gaelic ‘content’
Major public organisations
Clear navigational route to Gŕidhlig and all content
Gaelic language versions of own institutions documents
Bilingual policy or statement
Rarely available
31. Entirely bilingual interface
32. Bilingual content – clearly listed
33. Reduced Gaelic version
34. Inconsistency – a disservice? Poor navigation between English and Gaelic
Company names inconsistent with language of domain name
e.g. Comhairle nan Leabhraichean and www.gaelicbooks.net
e.g. Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gŕidhlig and www.gms.org.uk
Gaelic domain names inconsistent with email addresses
e.g HIE Innse Gall and info@wie.hient.co.uk
Terminology inconsistent
e.g. ceanglaichean and lŕraichean (links)
Gaelic language documents in the centre of English monolingual sites
35. Organisational web bilingualism Ad hoc development of Gaelic on public organisations websites
Content online reflecting:
The role of Gaelic in the organisation
Strategic policies for bilingualism
The geographical ‘reach’ of an organisation
The type of online content
Growth in Gaelic content relative to English evident
Gaelic Language Plans could act as a platform for more structured design and development
36. Gaelicisation of the Net Informal, participative web developments
37. Informal, democratic developments
“The Gaelic community has embraced several aspects of the information and communication technology (ICT) revolution, utilising the democratic and informal nature of the internet in particular to great benefit”
(An Dreachd Plana Nŕiseanta na Gŕidhlig, 2006: 37)
38. Wikipedia – online encyclopaedia
39. Learning support
Generate language networks
Language acquisition support materials
Using Gaelic in a supportive environment
MSN ‘an t-Seňmar-Chňmhraidh Gŕidhlig’
http://groups.msn.com/gaidhlig
FreeBB, Fňram na Gŕidhlig
http://31.freebb.com/gaidhlig/gaidhlig.html
40. Fňram na Gŕidhlig - membership
41. Blog portal and meeting space
42. Promoting literacy… “Gu ruige seo, tha mi air a bhith a-mach air ciamar a tha daoine a’ dčanamh conaltraidh le bhith sgrěobhdadh air-loidhne agus is math dh’ fhaodte gum bi thu den bheachd gur e rud math th’ann an sin airson sgrěobhadh sa Ghaidhlig, ach dč a tha e a’ dčanamh airson na cainnt?”
“Up until now, I have been on about how people communicate through writing on line, and perhaps you are of the opinion that this is a good thing for Gaelic literature, but what is it doing for the language?”
(Scholes, 2005: 37)
43.
“The growing usage of modern technology by a sizable proportion of the dispersed Gaelic community is potentially a very significant bonding agent in the linguistic, social and cultural processes which shape and define the community”
(An Dreachd Plana Nŕiseanta na Gŕidhlig, 2006: 37)
44. “Chan eil mise a’ faicinn nan tachartasan air-loidhne mar roghainn ma bhŕsaicheas a’ Ghŕidhlig buileach glan sna coimhearsnachdan traidiseanta. Tha fhios agam nach eil coimpiutair aig a h-uile neach-ionnsachaidh no fileantach ach, dhomhsa, tha a’ Ghŕidhealtachd ‘mas fhěor’ na pŕirt de shaoghal na Gŕidhlig a tha fhathast beň agus tha i na pŕirt den strě airson an canan a shŕbhaladh.”
“I am not seeing these online events as an option if Gaelic dies completely in the traditional heartlands. I know not all learners and fluent speakers have a computer but, for me, the ‘virtual’ Gaidhealtachd is part of the Gaelic world that is still alive and it is part of the struggle to save the language.”
(Scholes, 2005: 37). , ,
45. Lobbying and campaigning Informing on topical, language-related, issues
Stimulating discussion on topical issues
Political campaigning and lobbying
SaveGaelic.org
Iomairtean Gŕidhlig
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Iomairtean_Gaidhlig/
Knowledge networks
46. Campaigning online
47. The online Gaelic community… “Gu ruige seo, chan eil ann ach dithis bhlogair aig an robh Gŕidhlig bho thůs a tha a’ cur an cuid sgrěobhadh air Těr nam Blňg agus tha sin air deasbad a thňiseachadh am measg nam blogairean…Thuirt Blogair bho Mhassacheusetts gun robh eagal air gun robh sin a’ toirt seallaidh air a’ Ghŕidhlig dhan t-saoghal bho shůilean luchd-ionnsachaidh a-mhŕin. An e rud math no dona a th’ann an sin no a bheil fiů ‘s boinne dŕnadais na lůib?”
“Up until now, there are only two bloggers who are native Gaelic speakers that are putting their material on Těr nam Blňg and that has started a debate amongst bloggers…A Blogger from Massacheusetts said that he was concerned that this was portraying the views on the Gaelic language to the world from the perspective of learners only. Is this a good or a bad thing or is there perhaps even a touch of arrogance in this?”
(Scholes, 2005:36)
48. Planning for ICT and the Gaelic Language Evidence Based Policy
49. Learning from the Welsh experience Benefits from a centre for Welsh Language Technologies Research Unit : Canolfan Bedwyr
First Strategy for IT and the Welsh Language (2006)
Bilingual software standards and guidelines (2006)
Monitoring of websites of organisations with Welsh Language Schemes
A range of collaborative, partnership initiatives towards mainstreaming Welsh in the IT culture
50. BBC Vocab Service
51. Guidance on Gaelic Language Plans Communications and interactivity
Websites
Gaelic incorporated into home page
Gaelic and English web addresses
Gaelic version of content based on Gaelic or bilingual printed material published
Gaelic pages
Gaelic website
Evidence based guidance?
52. Addressing the gaps - provision The ‘Gaelic infrastructure’
Collaboration: knowledge-sharing, learning from elsewhere, technical and linguistic expertise
Capacity: Develop expertise, and funded research, into language engineering, machine translation, speech-technology and learning tools
Software research and development
On-line provision of web-based services
Development of guidelines for software and web-developers?
Guidelines on bilingualism and the Web as part of Gaelic Language Plans?
Best practice be recognised?
53. Addressing the gaps – interaction Participatory forms of Internet usage
Research related to the participation in informal environments and their affect on language acquisition and use
Research on Gaelic language choice and Internet usage
Guidance and information on Gaelic web-based services
Gaelic ICT training
54. Concluding Thoughts The Gaelic community has grasped the opportunities presented by ICTs
Future development constrained by lack of strategic co-ordination, funding and resources, and knowledge and expertise
Gaelic language learning profited from digital technologies, in schooling and in new emerging virtual language communities
No evidence to suggest that (as Crystal claims) it is positively affecting language ‘revitalisation’
Further normalisation of Gaelic in IT culture required to support it’s day to day continuance in every day lives of Gaelic (place-based and virtual) communities
55.
Mňran taing/Many thanks
marsaili.macleod@abdn.ac.uk
56. Related references Brown, E. and Mitchel, C (2005) Adapting Open Source Software for Education: Challenges, methodologies and result. Paper presented at Open Source for Education in Europe: Research and Practise, Open University of Netherlands, Heerlen, Netherlands 14-15 November 2005. Online. Available HTTP: <http://www.openconference.net/viewabstract.php?id=18&cf=3>
Bwrdd yr Iaith Gymraeg/Welsh Language Board (2006) Information Technology and the Welsh Language: a Strategy Document. Online. Available HTTP: <http://www.bwrdd-yr-iaith.org.uk/cynnwys.php?pID=109&nID=2064&langID=2> (accessed 15 January 2007).
Bwrdd yr Iaith Gymraeg/Welsh Language Board (2006) Bilingual Software Standards & Guidelines. Online. Available HTTP: <http://www.bwrdd-yr-iaith.org.uk/cynnwys.php?pID=109&nID=2063&langID=2> (accessed 15 January 2007).
Charalabopoulou, F., Carayannis, G. and Steinhauer, G (2005) Deploying ICT to Empower Linguistic Diversity, paper presented at the 7th Hellenic-European Conference on Computer Mathematics and its Applications, September 2005, Athens. Online. Available HTTP: <http://www.aueb.gr/pympe/hercma/proceedings2005/H05-FULL-PAPERS-1/CHARALABOPOULOU-CARAYANNIS-STEINHAUER-1.pdf> (accessed 5 November 2006).
Crystal, D. (2001; 2nd edn 2004) Language and the Internet, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
57. Related references (contd.)
Crystal, D. (2002) Language Death, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Erikson, Jim (1998) Cyberspeak: the Death of Diversity. Will the English-dominated Internet spell the end of other tongues? Asiaweek 3 July 1998, 15. Online. Available HTTP: <http://www.asiaweek.com/asiaweek/98/0703/feat_7_millenium.html> (accessed 4 November 2006).
Gandal, N. (2006) Native Language and Internet Usage, in International Journal of the Sociology of Language, 182, 25-40
Grenoble, L. A. and Whaley, L. J. (2006) Saving Languages: an Introduction to Language Revitalization, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Scholes, D. (2006) Conaltradh Air-loidhne: dč am feum a th’ann? On line Conversation – of what use is it? in Cox, R. (ed.) Gath, 5, Berwick-upon-Tweed: Foillseachaidhean Ghath Earranta.
Thomas, N., King, A.. and Gruffydd Jones, E. H. (2000) Linguistic Diversity on the Internet: assessment of the contribution of machine translation, European Parliament: Stoa Publications. Online. Available HTTP < http://www.serv-inf.deusto.es/ABAITUA/konzeptu/ta/EuroParlament.html>(accessed 5 November, 2006).
58. Related references - websites Open source community:
Manilla: <http://www.mozilla.org/projects/l10n/>
Open office: <http://www.openoffice.org/>
Minority Language Technology
Kevin Scannell: <http://borel.slu.edu/nlp.html>
Canolfan Bedwyr: <http://www.bangor.ac.uk/ar/cb/technolegau_iaith.php.en?menu=10&catid=3088&subid=0>
SATMIL Network – Speech and Language Technology for Minority Languages: <http://ixa2.si.ehu.es/saltmil/>
Gaelic language tools
Sgrěobh: <http://www.sgriobh.com/>
Open Office Gŕidhlig: <http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/gaidhlig/stuthantaic/openoffice.asp>
An Dearbhair: <http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/gaidhlig/gaelicspell.asp>
Stňr-dŕta: <http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk/gaidhlig/faclair/sbg/lorg.php>
Faclair na Gŕidhlig: <http://www.faclair.ac.uk/>
Faclair na Parlamaid: <http://www.scotland.gov.uk/dictionary/_bin/>
Caoimhín Ó Donnaile, Gaelic online: <http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk/gaidhlig/gaidhlig.html>