Course:FNEL 382/Miromaa

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FNEL 382 Lexicography tool of the Week
FNELLogo.jpg
Week 7

FNEL 382 [1] is a course offered through the First Nations Endangered Language Program [2] at UBC, which is located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking Musqueam people [3] .


For more information on BC's Indigenous endangered languages please visit The First People's Cultural Council. [4] and UBC's Indigenous Foundations [5]


Through FNEL 382, students approach concepts of Lexicography, such as compiling, editing, and organizing dictionaries, with a focus on ethical, community-led, collaborative, dynamic, diverse, technical, and on-going aspects of Indigenous endangered language lexicography projects.

Each week students will research a digital lexicography tool correlating to that week's topic, and discuss its potential to best support community-based Lexicography projects. For this week's topic of "Collecting Words to Documenting Indigenous Knowledge" the digital lexicography tool Miromaa [6] will be reviewed.

Miromaa is an Awabakal [7] community based, protected, user friendly, dictionary writing system software program. [8] that aims to help community users document, preserve, reclaim, revitalize and digitize Indigenous endangered languages. Miromaa is focussed on offering users multi-media abilities to attach sound, video and still images to each language entry recorded. Miromaa stores all of your digitized documents, and is compatible with PDF's, Word and Excel files. Miromaa can import and export from data from Lexique Pro [9] Audacity [10] and Toolbox [11]


Lexicography Tool of the Week

Miromaa logo




The word Miromaa means 'saved' in the Awabakal language. [12]

The idea for the Miromaa Language and Technology Centre , and dictionary making software began when Arwarkarl Cultural Resource Association (ACRA) started work on the documentation and revival of its own local language Awabakal in the late 90’s [13]

Miromaa does not claim ownership of the Awabakal language and recognizes that Awabakal language belongs to the Awabakal country and it is most appropriate that this language be spoken on this land. [14] Miromaa [15] software was developed by the Arwarbukarl Cultural Resource Association (ACRA) which aimed to support Awabakal language and culture, it operated from 2002-2008 In 2008 (ACRA) become the, Miromaa Aboriginal Language & Technology Centre (MALTC).

By entering the Miromaa site visitors agree to the following cultural protocols [16]

  • The Indigenous peoples of the Hunter Region have the right to be recognized as the owners of their cultural and intellectual property.
  • Recognition of Indigenous culture being foundation to our being, our Future, the continued expression of our cultures through our children
  • Recognition and respect for Indigenous peoples' transmission of their cultures
  • No Un-authorized Commercial Use of Information found within the site
  • Warnings will be used to protect sensitive cultural material.
  • Consent of the Indigenous communities MUST be obtained before any recording, use or display of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property.


Daryl McKenny [17] is the general manager of Miromaa, and has been with this organization since the beginning, he helped develop the Miromaa software in 2003. McKinny is a member of the Gamilaraay and Wiradjuri nations, and was born and raised in Awabakal country [18] in the east coast, of Australia. McKinny is passionate about using technology to help empower Indigenous communities worldwide to preserve, document, and revitalize their language and cultures. Miromaa software has developed from version 1, 2 and is currently operating Miromaa3 [19]

Miromaa Software [20] is an Indigenous created, user friendly, secure software program aimed to help Indigenous endangered language communities, document, preserve, and reclaim their Indigenous languages. Miromaa also serves linguists, and archivists, in the documentation, digitization, and preservation of Indigenous endangered languages. If you identify as Indigenous Australian [21] or Torres Straight Islander person [22] working directly on documenting an Indigenous language of Australia Miromaa software id offered for free, through the sponsorship program. [23]

The Miromaa 'Community Dictionary Maker' [24] is one of the many components built into the Miromaa software.




Features of the Miromaa Dictionary Software include:

  • Language Storage [25]
  • Users and Security [26]
  • Language Entry [27]
  • Multi Media [28]
  • Learner [29]
  • Linguist [30]
  • Archiving [31]
  • Word Lists [32]
  • Export to Toolbox/Lexique Pro [33]
  • Import from Toolbox/Lexique Pro [34]

Additional features include:

  • Secure login
  • Multiple language support
  • Ability to import language recordings, and text files
  • Ability to export language records to text files
  • Compatible with Toolbox and Lexique Pro
  • Export multimedia data
  • Online updates
  • Detailed language editor screen
  • Available space for linguistic notes
  • Ability to record original and revised spellings of words
  • Space to record notes with each language entry
  • Categorizes each entry with a semantic domain, with customizable themes
  • Classifies each entry as the part of speech
  • Ability to control the visibility of words entered
  • Archive language records
  • Store multiple images with each entry
  • Store multiple audio clips with each entry
  • Store multiple video with each entry
  • compatible Audacity, and can create audio links via Audacity
  • Ability to search all records for text entries, search results returned in either a Form, Report or Table
  • create "To Do" lists visible to to other users
  • Create your own mini keyboard with special characters
  • Have entries immediately viewable in the Learning Area
  • Automatically records Metadata
  • Can handle databases with well over 10,000 re‐cords
  • Can instantly find records using the predictive text feature

The Miromaa website also includes a software toolkit [35] outlining other programs compatible with Miromaa as well as beneficial in the preservation, documentation and reclamation of Indigenous languages such as audacity [36] Audacity [37] and Toolbox [38] Lexique Pro and ToolKit.


Short film outlining some of the key features of the Miromaa software.



miromaa app

The Miromaa Software also provides users with the opportunity to further their language documentation and digitization project by designing their own language learning iOS app [39]. The app feature allows users to create interactive, personalized language learning resources to best support their community needs.

Development & Funding

Miromaa [40] is a not-for profit charitable organization based in the Awabakal country [41] or 'New South Wales of Australia .

The organization was first formed in 2002 under the name, Arwarbukarl Cultural Resource Association (ACRA) which aimed to bring cultural awareness to the Arwarbukarl language of Southeastern Australia. In 2008 ACRA developed into the Miromaa Aboriginal Language & Technology Centre (MALTC). MALTC focuses on four main aspects.

  1. Revitalizing and reclaiming the Awabakal language and culture , through creating educational resources, for preschools, primary schools and high schools. As well as producing Awabakal language tools such as games.
  2. Offering language education training to support the preservation of Indigenous languages held in the Miromaa language and technology training centre, as well as other Indigenous communities.
  3. Holding the Puliima , biennial National Indigenous Language and Technology forum, to support and connect that engages Indigenous communities across Australia and overseas.
  4. Creating, and maintaining the free and open sourced Miromaa language and education software [42] which aids in the preservation , documentation and revitalization of Indigenous languages. This software is currently being used to support over 100 languages.

Miromaa is supported by Microsoft Australia [43] As well as grants from the Australian Government's Federal Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA) which is now called the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.


Contributors

General Manager Daryn McKenny and Program Manager Dianna Newman

The Miromaa Aboriginal and Technical Centre is a not for profit organization and acknowledges the support of the following affiliated organizations:

  • Awabakal Newcastle Aboriginal Co-operative [44]
  • Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages [45]
  • Yarnteen Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders Corporation[46]
  • Youloe-ta Indigenous Developement Association [47]
  • Yamuloong Incorporated [48]

Miromaa Aboriginal and Technology Centre supports:

  • The NSW Aboriginal Languages Policy and its strategy plan
  • The NSW Aboriginal Languages syllabus development [49]
  • National Indigenous Languages Policy

The Miromaa Aboriginal and Technical Centre are members of the following organizations:

  • All staff of Miromaa Language and Technology Centre are members of the community organization, Federation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages. [50]
  • NSW Aboriginal Language Research and Resource Centre's advisory board.
  • Miromaa Language and Technology Centre is represented on the Many Rivers Aboriginal Language Centre website

The Miromaa Language and Technology Centre is a member of the UK based not-for profit, registered charity organization, Foundation for Endangered Languages [51] which awards grants supporting Indigenous endangered language documentation, preservation and reclamation projects. Miromaa Language and Technology also holds a membership in the Mandurah Hunter Indigenous Business Chamber Inc [52] which aims to support Indigenous businesses through promoting the use of Indigenous owned products and services across Australia .

Users

The Miromaa Language and Technology Centre software is intended to support Indigenous endangered languages through creating user friendly, community-led software. The intended users of this software include:

Indigenous Language Workers- speakers, activists, learners or experts who play a key role in maintaining, preserving or documenting their Indigenous language. The Miromaa software supports community Indigenous Language workers through:

  • User friendly program, minimal training required
  • Inclusion of Language workers in all parts of language documentation
  • Employ community protocols with security controls.
  • Offers space for notes of language gathered.
  • Designed to work collaboratively with Linguists
  • Supports Miromaa Learning area.

Language centres The Miromaa software supports Language centres through:

  • Ability to run on multiple languages.
  • Detailed features
  • Able to be installed in a Network environment.

as well as Linguists or Academic researchers

Users of this software can access Miromaa's Technical support as well as detailed training guides [53]


Miromaa Software can only be obtained by requesting a license form. Licenses can be purchased through Miromaa [54] Below are the prices for licences

  • 1 to 4 licenses - $550 each license (Full price – no discount)
  • 5 to 10 licenses - $360 each license (saving of approx. 33%)
  • 11 or more licenses - $275 each license (saving of approx. 50%)

All pricing includes GST and access to technical support via phone or email

Secondly, Miromaa licences can be sponsored free of charge if you are either an Indigenous Aboriginal person [55] or a Torres Straight Islander working on documenting an Indigenous language. If you are Language Centre working directly with the documentation,and preservation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages you can receive Miromaa3 for free through the sponsorship program as well. And finally if you are a Linguist, or academic researcher working directly with Indigenous, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples in the preservation, reclamation and documentation of their traditional language you may be able to receive Miromaa for free.


Skills Required

To run Miromaa you will need:

A basic understanding of computers, but local Awabakal training workshops are offered, as well as online support. [56]

Your computer station will need:

  • Windows XP or higher operating system
  • 512kb ram - recommended minimum
  • 120mb of hard drive space for install

When Miromaa is installed it will automatically install Crystal Reports [57] and Microsoft.Net Framework 2 [58] as a minimum.

Miromaa does not run on a mac OSx

Miromaa's language centre offers three day training workshops [59] Training will help users install Miromaa and the other major software programs such as Lexique Pro, audacity, and photostory. Miromaa Participants will begin to set up their own language database. Miromaa software is focussed on archival best practices.

Other Related Projects Mentioned in class presentation

My Grandmother's lingo [60]

Decolonial Atlas [61]


References

  1. ↑ First Nations Endangered Language Course 382
  2. ↑ First Nations Endangered Language Program
  3. ↑ Musqueam
  4. ↑ The First People's Cultural Council.
  5. ↑ Indigenous Foundations
  6. ↑ Miromaa
  7. ↑ [ http://www.awabakal-e.schools.nsw.edu.au/resources/awabakal-tribe/ Awabakal]
  8. ↑ Miromaa brochure
  9. ↑ lexique Pro
  10. ↑ Audacity
  11. ↑ sofware
  12. ↑ word for saved Miromaa
  13. ↑ beginnings
  14. ↑ Awabakal language protocol
  15. ↑ Miromaa software
  16. ↑ cultural protocols
  17. ↑ general manager
  18. ↑ Awabakal
  19. ↑ Miromaa version history
  20. ↑ Miromaa software
  21. ↑ Miromaa Aboriginal terminology guide
  22. ↑ Torres Straight Islander
  23. ↑ Sponsership program
  24. ↑ Miromaa Community Dictionary maker
  25. ↑ storage featres
  26. ↑ Miromaa Security features
  27. ↑ Miromaa Language entry features
  28. ↑ Multi-media features
  29. ↑ Miromaa Learner features
  30. ↑ Miromaa Linguist Features
  31. ↑ Miromaa Archiving Features
  32. ↑ Miromaa Word List Features
  33. ↑ Miromaa export features
  34. ↑ Miromaa import features
  35. ↑ [ http://www.miromaa.org.au/miromaa/toolkit.html/ Software toolkit]
  36. ↑ lexique Pro
  37. ↑ Audacity
  38. ↑ sofware
  39. ↑ / Miromaa ios app
  40. ↑ Miromaa site
  41. ↑ Awabakal wiki
  42. ↑ http://www.miromaa.org.au/miromaa/miromaa-features.html
  43. ↑ [file:///Users/annieguerin/Downloads/MiromaaCaseStudy.pdf/ Microsoft saves Language ?]
  44. ↑ Awabakal NSWco-operative
  45. ↑ Victorian Aboriginal Coperation for languages
  46. ↑ Yarntenn Aboriginal Torres Straight Islanders
  47. ↑ / Youloe Indigenous Development Association
  48. ↑ Yamuloong
  49. ↑ New South Wales Board of Studies K-10 curriculum/ NSW Aboriginal syllabus
  50. ↑ Awabakal
  51. ↑ http://www.ogmios.org/index.php/ Foundation for Endangered Languages ]
  52. ↑ https://mandurahhibc.com.au/benefits.php/ Mandurah Hunter Indigenous Business Chamber Inc]
  53. ↑ training guides
  54. ↑ License pricing
  55. ↑ Aboriginal terminology guide
  56. ↑ tech support
  57. ↑ Crystal Reports
  58. ↑ Microsoft Net 2
  59. ↑ Miromaa training workshop
  60. ↑ My Grandmother's Lingo
  61. ↑ https://decolonialatlas.wordpress.com/?s=australia Decolonial Atlas Indigenous Australia ]

FNEL 382 First Nations and Endangered Languages program 

Musqueam

Miromaa Indigenous Foundations The First People's Cultural Council.

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