NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: North Slave Region

Tags: social sciences, aboriginal language, linguistics, Tlîchô, education

Objective(s): To continue development of the existing on-line dictionary; to continue development of the iPod/iPad/iPhone application "Yati"; and to develop templates for the production of new print editions of the primary dictionary and larger dictionary.

Project Description: The objectives of this research project are to: 1. continue development of the existing on-line dictionary, available publically at (http://tlicho.ling.uvic.ca); 2. continue development of the iPod/iPad/iPhone application "Yati", which is currently available for download from the iTunes store; 3. develop templates for the production of new print editions of the primary dictionary and larger dictionary, building from the on-line dictionary database; and 4. provide opportunities for community involvement in dictionary research. The researchers will edit the existing dictionary database to make refinements, corrections, and additions to what is there now. This work can be done partly through work on the database itself by the researchers and research assistants and partly through interviews with people who know the Tlicho language. The programmer will continue work on improving the on-line dictionary, making it more user-friendly, and on revising the iPod/iPhone/iPad application. The researchers will work with other Tlicho language and culture specialists (including teachers) to add to the dictionary database. The researchers will work with elders and other knowledgeable people to add to the dictionary database. The researchers will access earlier research to add to the dictionary database, including potentially place names and conversational items. The products of the research--including the on-line Tlicho dictionary (http://tlicho.ling.uvic.ca), the iPod/iPad application, and print editions of the dictionary--have social, cultural, educational, and economic benefits in terms of use in schools and in employment and public life, as cultural and linguistic resources, as educational and social resources, and as focuses for possible future employment. This study's results will be available in the on-line Tlicho dictionary and the app "Yati". Instruction in how to use the dictionary will be available on the website and also provided to educators, students, staff members of local government and businesses, and members of the public through workshops as requested by Tlicho Government and Tlicho Community Services Agency colleagues and staff. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from September 28, to December 31, 2015.