CoRSAL Language ArchivePreserving endangered languages

In the summer 2017, we worked with the University of North Texas to develope a digital archive for South Asian language preservation. We translated initial research and insights into UX design proposals and database structure for the language archive. I led the design of mobile application.

The mobile application is not just a simplified version of the CoRSAL website. The website and the app have different use cases and focuses, and together they make one workable product.

The app is designed for users to implement as a field tool and a communication channel. There is a consistent tagging system between the mobile app and the website, but the app has a more conversational interface. It is easy for linguistic researchers and community members to store information in the database, and it enables more direct collaboration in field work.

Mobile App Design Sign up for CoRSAL

Browse/manage contents

Deposit to CoRSAL

The archive specifies topics of interest for different user needs of researchers, linguists as well as community members.

The mobile application could be used as an in-progress field work tool for researchers.

Depositing content is easy. The tagging system and auto-formating system provides better back-end content management.

Product-Technology System

Existing data from physical archives

Communication mediums

Collected data from the field

Physical/non-physical cultural heritage

Use of smartphones and computers

Socio-Technology System

Governance

Community engagement

Knowledge and education

Relationship with NGOs

Fundings

Societal Systems

Goals

Preserving languages

Preserving culturesValues

Habits

Product-Service System

Access of internet

Metadata

App technology

SQL queriesSocial Media

IOT

The Levels and Systems of language archive

Even though there is a very expected outcome for a language archive – a website and a mobile application – our approach emphasized looking at endangered language communities at many different scopes.

System Mapping

The Research Linguist Journey Map helped us analyze the painpoints of using a language archive.

Journey Mapping