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How FirstVoices
Works
At the core of the FirstVoices Web application is an online
language archiving tool. Each language collection consists
of an alphabet, dictionary and phrase book. The alphabet provides
the written character set for a language, with sample sound
files for each character. The dictionary provides a word list,
with translations, definitions, sounds, images and video.
FirstVoices Phrase Books contain everyday conversational language
with related text, sound, image and video files to support
language learning.
Using the latest digital technology, Aboriginal
communities can accurately document their language data and
manage their own language resources. Data can then be repurposed
in a variety of Web-enabled language activities designed for
self-directed learning. Students customize their choice of
language activity and degree of linguistic challenge while
connected live to FirstVoices.com. Each new activity is populated
with text and sound files directly from the FirstVoices database.
FirstVoices makes creative use of the Internet
with a unique set of tools providing access to the language
and culture of the Elders for all Aboriginal students, whether
close to their traditional territory or far away in an urban
setting.
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Fostering Community Involvement
FirstVoices fosters community collaboration in the revitalization
of Indigenous languages. Through mentorship programs for young
people and their Elders, the knowledge and wisdom of fluent
speakers is passed along to future generations. Young people
use their technical expertise to help their elders build media-rich
language archives for their entire language community.
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Summary
The FirstVoices online language archive represents an opportunity
for governments, corporations, senior educational institutions
and NGO’s to combine their resources in one educational
vehicle designed to reverse the loss of Aboriginal languages
and cultures.
A number of important features place the FirstVoices
Project in a league of its own:
- a “Made in Canada” solution with wide appeal
among language teachers and linguists
- a design team representing Aboriginal communities, language
specialists and linguists
- a leading-edge software development team
- highly creative and experienced on-line learning resource
developers
- a “Train-the-Trainer” program and delivery
team
- support from Aboriginal organizations, governments and
corporations in Canada, the USA and Australia.
Story
of FirstVoices – an Archive
for the World’s Aboriginal Languages
It all started with the dedication of Dave Elliott,
an elder on the Tsartlip Reserve on the Saanich Peninsula
in British Columbia, Canada. Dave spent several years creating
and perfecting an alphabet for the SENCOTEN language. Prior
to Dave’s work, SENCOTEN had been strictly an oral language.
Following his death, Dave’s son John Elliott
continued his father’s legacy as a teacher at the Tribal
School. John worked with fellow teacher Peter Brand
on the development of computer applications to enrich the
language learning experience for their students. A highlight
of their collaboration was the concept for web-based language
archiving resources. The First Peoples’ Heritage, Language
and Culture Council liked the idea and commencing July 2001,
proceeded to develop the FirstVoices project.
The FirstVoices resource provides tools and training to
archive text, pictures, audio and video via the Internet
and will
ensure that future generations continue to learn directly
from their Elders. Following final focus group testing,
FirstVoices
became available in September 2003 for Aboriginal communities
wishing to document and archive their languages. It may
now
be possible to save from extinction hundreds, perhaps thousands
of Aboriginal languages throughout the world.
Click here to
get to know the FirstVoices team
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www.FirstVoices.com
If you would like to get involved, or would like more information
about the FirstVoices Program contact us:
1A Boat Ramp Road
Brentwood Bay, BC V8M 1N9 Canada
tel: (250) 652-5952
fax: (250) 652-5953
Email:
Help FirstVoices work to revitalize Aboriginal
languages
Become a FirstVoices Esteemed Supporter
To use the FirstVoices Tutorial click
here
Hy’chka, Gilakas’la,
Kleco-Kleco, Thank You!
We gratefully acknowledge support from the
Department of Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada; the
Ministry of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services,
Government of British Columbia; and the BC Arts Council &
the BC Museums Association Digital Collections Fund. To see
our Respected
Supporters.
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