[RNLD List] Timeframes for Dictionaries

Thu May 27 00:58:58 UTC 2021

Dictionaries are lifelong projects but they can be broken down into chunks
and released along the way! The Kullilli dictionary (available on the Apple
and Google play stores for free) took about 8 months to get to its current
point. There's a lot more we need to do, but we felt it was more important
to release something that's not perfect so that we can get feedback. We are
continuing to work on pretty much all aspects of the dictionary and will be
doing so for many years, I suspect.
Claire

On Wed, May 26, 2021 at 4:18 AM Julia Sallabank <js72 at soas.ac.uk> wrote:

> Don't despair! Yes, it can be a lifelong process (and should be open to
> updating anyway). But one of my MA students produced a small dictionary
> from archived materials for her MA dissertation. The dissertation describes
> the process and decisions made in detail. I'm copying her in (bcc) - she
> might be willing to share it with you.
>
> Best wishes
> Julia
>
> On Wed, 26 May 2021 at 06:40, Harley Dunolly-Lee <
> harley.dunollylee123 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Heyy thank you for your feedback.
>>
>> Sounds like it will take awhile. I appreciate this :)
>>
>> On Thu, 20 May 2021, 6:23 pm Jane Simpson, <jansimps at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Good list from Jacqui.
>>> I'd just add
>>> Take a word, time how long it takes you to write a definition for that
>>> word with all the information that you want to give about it in the
>>> dictionary.
>>>  Then multiply that  time by the number of words you think you have.
>>> Then double that time for.. deciding that you need to make a particular
>>> change across all the entries,
>>> And maybe triple it for finding your software doesn't work properly,
>>> Quadruple it for doing an English finder list   (and all the discoveries
>>> you make along the way that mean you then change your earlier entries).
>>> And add in extra time for writing the introductory material, getting
>>> photographs of the people who worked on the dictionary or who provided
>>> material, getting a good map etc.....  deciding on a cover picture...
>>>
>>>
>>> On Thu, May 20, 2021 at 3:06 PM Jacqui Cook <linguist at irrawangga.org.au>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi Harley,
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> It depends on the community and on how far along you are in
>>>> understanding the language and getting the material together. Several years
>>>> for most cases, in my experience! A few key questions that will help you to
>>>> estimate how much further you have to go:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>    1. Have you had community workshops to decide how you’re going to
>>>>    write it down?
>>>>    2. Do you have recordings or are you working off old wordlists?
>>>>    It’s much easier to know what sounds are in the language if you have at
>>>>    least some recordings.
>>>>    3. Do you have all the words written out using a community approved
>>>>    writing system? This can take a surprising amount of time!
>>>>    4. Have you figured out what grammatical information you have and
>>>>    what is missing? If you have a lot missing, are you going to talk to TOs of
>>>>    related languages about borrowing some of their grammatical material?
>>>>    5. Do you know how the grammar works or are you still analysing it?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> We have been 2 years doing just a dictionary reprint in sound for 2 of
>>>> the languages here! So it can definitely take time...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Good luck!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> *Jacqui Cook*
>>>>
>>>> Linguist, Bundiyarra - Irra Wangga Language Centre
>>>>
>>>> p: 08 9920 7900| e: linguist at irrawangga.org.au | w: www.bundiyarra.com
>>>> <https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bundiyarra.com%2F&data=02%7C01%7Cmaia.ponsonnet%40uwa.edu.au%7C07df0fc7556c48f255db08d827a571c7%7C05894af0cb2846d8871674cdb46e2226%7C1%7C0%7C637302938825906677&sdata=aqpIUkC%2FUOUozNmd1EH61ll6wHfqmJR1rQ6CAKR9E5w%3D&reserved=0>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> *From: *Harley Dunolly-Lee <harley.dunollylee123 at gmail.com>
>>>> *Sent: *Thursday, 20 May 2021 12:58 PM
>>>> *To: *resource-network-linguistic-diversity at listserv.linguistlist.org
>>>> *Subject: *[RNLD List] Timeframes for Dictionaries
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Hello fellow speech crafts
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I am emailing to ask what is the average timeframe for a dictionary
>>>> word list including grammar for languages that are sleeping??
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Jane Simpson
>>> Private e-mail
>>>
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>
>
>
> --
> Julia Sallabank
> Professor of Language Policy and Revitalisation,
> School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics
> SOAS, University of London,
> London WC1H 0XG, UK
>
> Tel. +44 (0)20 7898 4326
> ORCID ID: 0000-0002-8662-6228 <http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8662-6228>
>
> I am now working 30 hours per week.
>
> *New Open Access book out now!*
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> Edited by Justyna Olko, Uniwersytet Warszawski, Poland, and Julia
> Sallabank
> Full Open Access paid for by EU Horizon 2020 project Engaged Humanities.
>
> https://www.cambridge.org/gb/academic/subjects/languages-linguistics/research-methods-linguistics/revitalizing-endangered-languages-practical-guide?format=HB
> Available free online as Gold Open Access:
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>
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>
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