Potential for Self-Documentation or Elder/Youth Paired Documentation of Language/Language Context Using Small Passive Recording Devices and/or BOLD?

[Heather Souter]

Taanshi,

My question to everyone is what is the potential for self-documentation of
language/language use context using small passive recording devices?  I just
came across some information on a small passive digital camera called
SenseCam and wonder about its potential use for language documentation when
paired with a similar device for sound recording?  I also wonder about
"lifecasting" style documentation using a small webcam place on a ball cap
and a small mobile computer or other video capture device.

I know it almost smacks of Big Brother type surveillance, but we are being
recorded almost everywhere we go these days....  (Not that I like it! LOL!)
However,  if the recording process was controlled by the language speaker
(and/or face-to-face language learner/apprentice)  and with full knowledge,
acceptance and permission of those being recorded (could be done with
recorder running with simple script was always available or memorized by the
speaker) and other stakeholders ( Elders, their community, etc.), it could
be an excellent way for communities (and trusted others) to obtain an almost
"speaker's eye view" of language context.

Would it be helpful? What are the downsides?  Would speakers of
endangered/indigenous languages and their communities accept such a
recording system?  If yes, for what purposes would speakers and communities
(and trusted collaborating linguists) like to see such a system used? Would
reviewing the images help speakers remember more information that they could
then verbally annotate the sound recording, using the BOLD method for
example?   Could this be another way for speakers and their communities to
gain greater controls over the documentation of language and production of
language materials to support retention, reacquisition and/or heritage
language learning?  If yes, how could this process be facilitated?

If anyone has already given similar ideas some thought, please share them
with the list and/or email me!

Finally,  are some links for those of you (like me, LOL!) not too familiar
with SenseCam, Lifecasting or BOLT and would like to learn and thinking more
about this idea....

http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/cambridge/projects/sensecam/default.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifecasting_(video_stream)
https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/handle/10125/5071

Kihchi-maarsii.

Eekoshi pitamaa.
Heather
MA Candidate, University of Lethbridge

PS: Although some may have ambivalent  feelings about the source of the BOLD
concept, I still think it has merit....
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