Open AccessDocumenting Linguistic Knowledge in an Inuit Language Atlas
Author(s) -
Kumiko Murasugi,
Monica Ittusardjuat
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
études inuit
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1708-5268
pISSN - 0701-1008
DOI - 10.7202/1055437ar
Subject(s) - documentation , atlas (anatomy) , computer science , linguistics , vitality , natural language processing , world wide web , medicine , programming language , philosophy , theology , anatomy
The traditional method of orally transmitting language is weakening with the passing of fluent Elders and language erosion in contemporary Inuit society. Language documentation is a vital component of language maintenance and revitalization. In this paper we present a pilot online, multimedia cybercartographic Atlas of the Inuit Language in Canada , the goal of which is to help protect and strengthen the vitality of Inuit dialects through the documentation of their words. The main component of the atlas is a multidialectal database of written and spoken words. We discuss the role of dictionaries in language documentation, introduce the features of the atlas, explore the appeal of the atlas to different types of users (in particular, language learners), and present future directions for the atlas project.