A case-study in grass roots development of web resources for language workers

Abstract

“Community language workers, speakers, and other members of local groups are both participants and overhearers in a global conversation about language endangerment in which the voices of academics and policymakers are especially prominent. How might this global conversation resonate for members of communities that are custodians of endangered languages – communities that are themselves a diverse audience? Do they find it empowering and encouraging, unintelligible and alienating, or something in between?” (Hill 2002: 119). We discuss ‘grass roots digital archiving’ as a method of addressing Hill’s questions. Specifically, we discuss the Coeur d’Alene Archive and Online Language Resources as a case study of digital archiving undertaken in the spirit of grass roots archiving and digital resource creation.

Open Education and Second Language Learning and Teaching

“…Digital technology and the internet have been hailed as critical innovations that could substantially improve the conditions under which indigenous languages are transmitted, revitalized and preserved. Long affl icted by a lack of aff ordable, accessible pedagogical materials, many indigenous language activists have turned to open, digital platforms as key resources for teachers, students and intellectuals (Bischoff & Fountain, 2013;Nicholas, 2009;Romero, 2016). Digital platforms have been argued to enhance the capacities of indigenous communities to access, design and disseminate materials in their own languages.…”