About the Project
The”Implementing Relational Lexicography in Four Indigenous Language Dictionaries” project, supported by the SSHRC Insight Grant, aims to create community-engaged, culturally responsive dictionaries for four Indigenous languages: Heiltsuk, Tlingit, Thangmi, and Kala. Led by Mark Turin, the project builds upon the theoretical framework of Relational Lexicography, which emphasizes the relationships between speakers, dialects, and the language itself. The dictionaries will be developed through a decolonial lens, collaborating closely with Indigenous communities to ensure that their cultural, linguistic, and educational goals are met. The project speaks to current calls for Indigenous language revitalization, particularly in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, UNDRIP, and the UN Decade of Indigenous Languages (2023–2032).
The project is about understanding language as a living, evolving part of culture, history, and identity. By including multimedia elements such as audio files, images, and videos, the dictionaries will provide a rich, immersive language learning experience. Each dictionary will reflect the unique cultural and linguistic needs of the respective community, and the project team will work closely with community members, including Elders, speakers, and language champions, to compile and curate the entries. For the Heiltsuk dictionary, the focus is on integrating both contemporary and historical recordings, incorporating culturally significant imagery, and ensuring accessibility through both online and print formats. The Taku River Tlingit dictionary will leverage an extensive archive of oral histories to preserve Inland Tlingit dialects, with plans to support multimedia elements that allow users to hear recordings of ancestors speaking their language. The Thangmi dictionary is being designed as a comparative dictionary, encompassing eight dialects and providing a tool for revitalizing this endangered language in Nepal and India. Lastly, the Kala dictionary will expand upon an earlier version, focusing on the community’s deep relationship with the aquatic environment and integrating cultural knowledge alongside linguistic information.
Nepali – Thami – English dictionary
Created by Mark Turin, and Bir Bahadur Thami, the dictionary aims to preserve the Thami (Thangmi) language, a lesser-known indigenous language of Nepal.
Project Goals & CoDHerS Collaboration
This project aims to bridge academic research with community goals, promoting language revitalization in a respectful, collaborative, and sustainable way. The dictionaries, upon completion, will not only serve as critical tools for language learners but will also contribute to the growing field of Indigenous lexicography, challenging the Euro-American traditions of dictionary-making by centering Indigenous methodologies and community knowledge. Hence, the Relational Lexicography project is aligned with and reflects CoDHerS’ commitment to preserving and promoting digital heritage through collaborative, interdisciplinary research, and exemplifies how technology can play a key role in decolonizing the production and dissemination of cultural knowledge.
CoDHerS is dedicated to developing sustainable processes for revitalizing Intangible Cultural Heritage within Indigenous communities while respecting their unique cultural protocols. The studio offers training, supervision, access to hardware, and workspace to Undergraduate Research Assistants involved in the project, facilitating a supportive environment for their development. The CoDHerS space is dedicated to ensuring the project’s success by providing resources and expertise in digital heritage and community engagement. The development of these dictionaries demonstrates the power of partnerships between Indigenous communities and universities in producing resources that foster knowledge preservation, and language learning across generations.
