The Ma! Project: Crowdsourcing Software for Language Documentation

Abstract

The Ma! Project's (themaproject.org/‎) first app + database package is a crowdsourcing lexicon development system consisting of a smartphone/tablet app which allows users to sync audio, video, text and image data to an online database for the purposes of building dictionaries. Synced data is curated via an online moderator control panel. Approved user contributions are used as the basis for new entries, or for modification of existing entries, which are then published to the app. The next time any user syncs, the new or modified entries will be added to the dictionary on their device. The project aims to engage younger speakers of endangered languages in the documentation process. The app has been made available for Android and iOS. So far we have piloted in three endangered language contexts: Iwaidja (Northern Australia); Mokpe (Cameroon); and Bena Bena (PNG). We are currently developing versions for Gamilaraay (NSW), Somali, and the 17 languages used by the Darwin-based Aboriginal Interpreter Service, all of which are expected to be operational by the end of 2013. The presentation will consist of a live demonstration of the app and moderator control panel. For those wishing to preview the app, search for 'Ma Iwaidja' on Google Play or the App Store.