Grants:Project/MSIG/KWUG/Needs-Based Assessment for Kashmiri Language

statusproposed

Needs-Based Assessment for Kashmiri Language

The Needs-Based Assessment project aims to enhance knowledge equity by recognizing the barriers in the Kashmiri language community.

targetKashmiri Wikipedia, Kashmiri Wikimedians, Kashmiri language digital landscape

start date1 September

start year2024

end date28 February

end year2025

budget (local currency)497,000 INR

grant typeIndividual

grantee• ThePoeticFrame

contact(s)• ThePoeticFrame, Mazarposh, Baad-e-Sabaa

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Applications are not required to be in English. Please complete the application in your preferred language.

Project Goal

What will be the outputs of your project and how will those outputs contribute to advancing a specific Movement Strategy Initiative

The primary outputs of our needs-based assessment project will be as follows:

Assessment of Existing Resources: We will evaluate the current resources, policies, and initiatives supporting the Kashmiri language. This assessment will highlight the gaps and areas requiring attention to improve the promotion and sustainability of the language.
Evaluation of Technical Infrastructure: Our project will assess the existing technical infrastructure for the Kashmiri language, identifying issues that hinder accurate representation and accessibility of digital content.
Community Engagement and Feedback: Through interviews, surveys, and workshops, we will engage with the Kashmiri language community to gather firsthand accounts of the challenges they face. This engagement will provide valuable qualitative data for our assessment.
Analysis of Content Mobility: We will evaluate how easily Kashmiri language content can be shared and accessed across different platforms, identifying barriers that limit content mobility.
Comprehensive Needs-Based Assessment Report: This report will identify and understand the primary issues faced by researchers, learners, and the online community (Kashmiri Wikimedians) in the use, teaching, and preservation of the Kashmiri language. It will provide detailed insights into the current challenges and opportunities within the Kashmiri language-scape. This report will also provide recommendations to Kashmiri Wikimedians User Group on how they can contribute in creating and sustaining a better infrastructure for Kashmiri language through Wikimedia projects. This would also identify pathways for the user group’s future sustainability.

What specific Movement Strategy Initiative does your project focus on and why? Please select one of the initiatives described here

Our project specifically focuses on the Movement Strategy Initiative related to identifying and addressing barriers to knowledge equity. The core objective is to investigate the challenges faced by Kashmiri language users, both indigenous and non-native, across various platforms—online and offline, and particularly Kashmiri Wikipedia. By identifying these barriers, we aim to enhance knowledge equity for the Kashmiri language community and identify the major needs of the language community in the digital landscape, which should help address the gap.

The reports thus obtained will ensure improvement in the language accessibility by understanding and overcoming obstacles faced by Kashmiri language users, aiding not only language but also promoting inclusivity in knowledge sharing by ensuring that the Kashmiri speaking community has equal opportunities to access and contribute to the global knowledge-scape, most notably, through the Wikimedia projects.

Our methodological approach includes organizing meetups, facilitating collaborations, hosting workshops, developing research-based questionnaires, conducting surveys (both online and offline), visiting language laboratories, and collecting data from the targeted audience. These activities will help us gather comprehensive data on the specific issues faced by the Kashmiri language community, thereby aligning with the Movement Strategy Initiative to overcome barriers to knowledge equity. Additionally, looking for and analyzing technical barriers and suggesting possible enhancements to technical infrastructure are integral components of our project. It is as such because the technical infrastructure for the language is overly underdeveloped, and through this project, we aim to locate these basic needs.

Project Background

When do you intend to begin this project and when will it be completed?

We intend to start working on the project by 1 September 2024, and aim to complete it by 28 February 2025. Tentative timeline for the activities is as follows:

September: Initiation and Planning

Team meeting and defining the roles and responsibilities.

Conduct an initiation meeting to outline project objectives, scope, and timelines.

Plan and schedule visits to potential institutions like the Central Institute of Indian Languages Mysore, Aligarh Muslim University, Jammu University, and Kashmir University, and other field visits.

October: Needs-Based Assessment

Conduct detailed surveys and interviews with community members and stakeholders, including the Wikimedia contributors (both content and tech) associated with the Kashmiri Wikimedians User Group.

Host focus groups and community meetings to gather qualitative data.

Visit CIIL Mysore, and Aligarh Muslim University

Gather data on available resources and potential barriers faced by these institutions.

November: Resource Identification

Visit Jammu University, and Kashmir University and other relevant cultural institutions in Kashmir Valley.

Meet with faculty, researchers, and library staff to discuss their experiences, challenges, and needs related to Kashmiri language resources.

Identify existing Kashmiri language resources that require digitization and are currently inaccessible.

Collaborate with libraries, universities, and cultural institutions to locate these resources.

Assess the condition and accessibility of identified resources.

Document resources that need digitization or other forms of preservation.

December: Technical Challenges Identification

Gather input from community members and technical experts on current barriers, such as Unicode compatibility issues.

Conduct a technical review of existing platforms apart from Wikipedia used for Kashmiri language content and analyze how those learnings can be incorporated for a better Wikimedia-hosted technical infra for the language.

Document technical challenges in detail, including potential areas for future tool development or improvement. We would also engage with the Language Team at the Wikimedia Foundation to identify possible areas of interest.

January: Community Feedback and Analysis

Focus on understanding the community's perception of Wikimedia and other digital platforms.

Synthesize all collected data into a comprehensive analysis of the challenges faced by the Kashmiri language community.

Identify key themes and patterns from the community feedback.

February: Reporting and Dissemination

Compile a detailed report summarizing all findings from the needs-based assessment.

Include sections on resource availability, technical barriers, and community perspectives.

Incorporate insights and data gathered from institutional visits.

Publish the report and make it publicly available.

Share the report and key findings through social media handles,

Organize a webinar or community meeting to present the findings and engage with the audience.

Where will your project activities be happening?

The primary activities of our project will mainly be conducted throughout the Kashmir Valley, with a specific focus on academic institutions such as universities. We also aim to engage with notable cultural and academic establishments, including the state’s cultural Akademi, Sahitya Akademi, various libraries, and the Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysore, among other similar venues.

Are you collaborating with other communities or affiliates on this project? Please provide details of how partners intend to work together to achieve the project goal.

Yes, we are collaborating with a group of recognised Wikimedia affiliates, including the Kashmiri Wikimedians User Group (primarily) and Deoband Community Wikimedia (DCW). These communities will provide both facilitation and technical support essential for the successful culmination of the project. Three scholars, who are key contributors to both groups and part of lead initiatives like wiki clubs, will assist in organizing online surveys and ensuring that we reach the correct target audience for sampling. This collaboration is crucial because one of the key initiatives of our project is to investigate the problems encountered by online wiki communities while working on Kashmiri language-related projects.

What specific challenge will your project be aiming to solve? And what opportunities do you plan to take advantage of to solve the problem?

Our project is primarily a needs-based endeavor, aimed at understanding the obstacles hindering the growth of our mother tongue, Kashmiri. Despite the advancements of the digital age, Kashmiri remains one of the languages lagging behind within the Indic group. We seek to investigate the disinterest in the language, particularly among the current generation, as well as the socio-political barriers that have inadvertently contributed to its stagnation.

Our objective is to compile a comprehensive understanding of the issues surrounding the language, which have impeded its development. The data collected will be presented to relevant stakeholders who will assist in addressing the identified gaps and revitalizing the language. To achieve these goals, we will employ a multifaceted strategic approach:

Conducting surveys and interviews with diverse stakeholders, including Wikimedians, indigenous/native language speakers, and language experts, to gain comprehensive insights into the specific problems faced by the Kashmiri language community.

Organizing workshops and meet-ups to facilitate dialogue and collaboration among community members, allowing for the sharing of experiences and insights to inform potential solutions.

Utilizing research-based questionnaires to gather structured data on the challenges encountered by Kashmiri language users, enabling a systematic analysis of the issues.

Engaging with language laboratories to gain insights into the technical aspects of language usage and support, identifying areas for improvement to enhance accessibility and usability.

Collecting data directly from the targeted audience to ensure that our efforts are informed by firsthand experiences and perspectives, thereby enabling us to address the complex issues hindering the advancement and accessibility of the Kashmiri language.

Through these approaches, our aim is not only to identify specific challenges but also to explore potential solutions and opportunities for improvement, ultimately contributing to the preservation and promotion of the Kashmiri language.

Does this project aim to apply one of the examples shared in the call for grants and if so which one?

Nill.

Project Activities

What specific activities will be carried out during this project? Please describe the specific activities that will be carried out during this project.

Meetups: These gatherings will bring together stakeholders from the Kashmiri language community, including Wikimedians, language experts, educators, and native speakers. The focus will be on open discussions, sharing experiences, and identifying key challenges faced by the community in using and preserving the Kashmiri language.

Collaborations: Partnerships with relevant organizations, institutions, and community groups will be established to leverage their expertise and resources in conducting the needs assessment. This may involve collaborating with universities, language labs, cultural organizations, and local community centers to access diverse perspectives and data sources.

Workshops: Workshops will facilitate in-depth discussions and brainstorming sessions on specific topics related to the challenges faced by the Kashmiri language community. Participants will engage in activities aimed at identifying barriers to language use, exploring potential solutions, and prioritizing areas for further investigation.

Research-based Questionnaires: Structured questionnaires will be developed and administered to gather data on the challenges encountered by Kashmiri language users. These questionnaires will be designed based on insights obtained from initial discussions and will focus on gathering quantitative data to complement qualitative findings.
Surveys (both online and offline): Surveys will be conducted both online and offline to reach a wider audience and gather diverse perspectives on the issues faced by the Kashmiri language community. Online surveys will be distributed through relevant platforms and social media channels, while offline surveys will be administered at community events, workshops, and other gatherings.

Visiting Language Labs and Universities: Visits to language labs and universities will provide opportunities to engage with experts and researchers working in the field of linguistics and language preservation. Discussions will focus on technical aspects of language usage, support, digitization, and access to relevant resources and data.

Data Collection from the Targeted Audience: Information will be gathered directly from Kashmiri language users through interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observation. This will provide deeper insights into specific challenges faced by the community and inform the needs assessment process.

How do you intend to keep communities updated on the progress and outcomes of the project? Please add the names or usernames of these individuals responsible for updating the community

We plan to ensure comprehensive communication and engagement with the communities throughout the project. Firstly, we will keep the Kashmiri language community updated internally through WhatsApp groups and internal mailing lists, and would also frequently share our learnings through the Diff blog for a wider reach. We will produce a detailed report that encapsulates our findings and the solutions derived from the needs-based assessment survey. This report will be made publicly available, ensuring accessibility to all interested stakeholders.

Direct engagement with the target audience will be a priority, facilitated through various channels including social media platforms, WhatsApp groups, and relevant online forums. Regular updates on project progress, along with sharing key insights and solutions, will be disseminated through these platforms. Existing WhatsApp groups that we are already part of will serve as vital channels for direct communication and engagement with the community.

Collaborative efforts with members of the Kashmiri Wikimedians User Group and DCW (Deoband Community Wikimedia) will be integral to our communication strategy. Leveraging these partnerships, we will maximize communication outreach through the already established communication links like Wiki Clubs. Regular meetings, discussions, and workshops will be organized to provide updates on project progress and outcomes.

Who will be responsible for delivering on this project and what are their roles and responsibilities?

In our project, we, as a team of three researchers who have been a part of Wiki Club Jamia at Jamia Millia Islamia (since its inception in October 2023), will collectively ensure its successful delivery through distinct roles and responsibilities:

ThePoeticFrame will act as a Program Manager. They will lead the project's execution, overseeing all facets of implementation. The Program Manager will set objectives, allocate resources efficiently, and ensure milestones are achieved on time and within budget. Serving as the main point of contact, the Program Manager will coordinate efforts among team members, stakeholders, and sponsors to seamlessly advance project goals.

Baad-e-Sabaa will act as Communications Officer. They will manage all communication strategies and activities. This involves crafting compelling messages, overseeing channels like social media and newsletters, and engaging stakeholders to share project updates and vital information. Monitoring feedback, the Communications Officer ensures communications align with project objectives and meet stakeholder expectations.

Mazarposh will act as Program Coordinator. Their focus will be on harmonizing project components and fostering collaboration. Responsibilities include organizing meetings, workshops, and events, facilitating internal communication, and providing logistical and administrative support. The Program Coordinator will monitor project progress, identify potential challenges, and implement strategies to optimize outcomes.

The program will be mentored by Aafi and 511KeV, who lead the Deoband Community Wikimedia and Kashmiri Wikimedians User Group respectively.

Additional information

If your activities include community discussions, what is your plan for ensuring that the conversations are productive? Provide a link to a Friendly Space Policy or UCoC that will be implemented to support these discussions.

We will abide by the Friendly space policies of Wikimedia.

If your activities include the use of paid online tools, please describe what tools these are and how you intend to use them.

If our activities necessitate the use of paid online tools, we will consider this based on the situation. Currently, we anticipate that we can operate within the normal/free participative range provided by platforms such as Zoom or Google Meet. These free versions should suffice for most of our needs, including meetings, workshops, and webinars.

Do your activities include the translation of materials, and if so, in what languages will the translation be done? Please include details of those responsible for making the translations.

Our activities may include the translation of materials, particularly if our needs-based assessment reveals a requirement for multilingual accessibility. While the primary focus is on gathering data and understanding the issues, we are prepared to translate materials as needed to ensure inclusivity and comprehensive understanding.

Given the nature of our project, translations might be necessary to effectively communicate findings and insights to diverse stakeholders. Should the need arise, we have competent research scholars on the ground who are proficient in multiple languages and capable of undertaking these translations. These scholars will ensure that all translated materials maintain accuracy and clarity.

Are there any other details you would like to share? Consider providing rationale, research or community discussion outputs, and any other similar information, that will give more context on your proposed project.

The rationale behind our project is to address the evident lag in the growth and preservation of the Kashmiri language in the digital age. Despite its rich linguistic and cultural heritage, the Kashmiri language has not kept pace with advancements in digital communication and technology. This project aims to tackle the disinterest among the younger generation and the socio-political barriers that have contributed to its stagnation. Grounded in thorough research, including a literature review, community feedback, and comparative analysis, our goal is to conduct a comprehensive needs-based assessment. Preliminary community discussions have highlighted the pressing need for greater engagement, digitized resources, and technical support. Collaborating with affiliates such as Kashmiri Wikimedians and Deoband Community Wikimedia (DCW), we will leverage technical support and organize community engagement activities to ensure successful project implementation.

Our project is designed to have a long-lasting impact on the Kashmiri language community by raising awareness, building capacity, and enhancing accessibility. Through workshops, training sessions, and the promotion of digitized resources, we aim to make the Kashmiri language more accessible online. This needs-based assessment will inform sustainable strategies for future language preservation efforts. By addressing the multifaceted issues hindering the Kashmiri language's growth, we aim to foster renewed interest and promote its sustainability in the digital age. Ultimately, this project will lay the foundation for meaningful solutions and ongoing efforts to revitalize the Kashmiri language.

The project aims to identify and understand the primary issues faced by researchers, learners, and the online community (Kashmiri Wikimedians) in the use, teaching, and preservation of the Kashmiri language. We will assess existing resources, policies, and initiatives supporting the Kashmiri language and provide actionable recommendations to enhance the promotion and sustainability of the language.

Outcomes

After your activities are complete, we would like to understand the draft implementation plan for your community. You will be required to prepare a document detailing this plan around a movement strategy initiative. This report can be prepared through Meta-wiki using the Share your results button on this page. The report can be prepared in your language, and is not required to be written in English.

In this report, you will be asked to:

Provide a link to the draft implementation plan document or Wikimedia page

Describe what activities supported the development of the plan

Describe how and where you have communicated your plan to relevant communities.

Report on how your funding was spent

Your draft implementation plan document should address the following questions clearly:

What movement strategy initiative or goal are you addressing?

What activities will you be doing to address that initiative?

What do you expect will happen as a result of your activities? How do those outcomes address the movement strategy initiative?

How will you measure or evaluate your activities? What tools or methods will you use to evaluate your activities?

To create a draft implementation plan, we recommend the use of a logic model, which will help you and your team think about goals, activities, outcomes, and other factors in an organized way. Please refer the following resources to develop a logic model:

Overview of logic models on Meta-wiki

Example logic models for reference for other movement activities (such as partnerships and edit-a-thons)

Blank logic model template on Google Drive

Please confirm below that you will be able to prepare a draft implementation plan document by the end of your grant:

We confirm that we will prepare a draft implementation plan by the end of our grant.

Optionally, you are welcome to include other information you'd like to share around participation and representation in your activities. Please include any additional outcomes you would like to report on below:

Budget

How will you use the funds you are requesting? List bullet points for each expense. Don’t forget to include a total amount, and update this amount in the Probox at the top of your page too!

The requested budget and budget breakdown should be in your or recipient’s local currency. We send grant payments preferably in your local currency. In some exceptional cases (e.g. hyperinflation), we allow grant payments to be made in US dollars. If you are requesting a grant in a currency other than your local currency, please reach out to your Program Officer to discuss.

The budget has been outlined in the following budget file:

Needs-Based Assessment for Kashmiri Language Budget File

TOTAL AMOUNT REQUESTED IN LOCAL CURRENCY: 4,97,000 INR

TOTAL AMOUNT REQUESTED IN USD: 5948.84

Completing your application

Once you have completed the application, please do the following:

Change the application status from status=draft to status=proposed in the {{Probox}} template.

Contact strategy2030 wikimedia.org to confirm your submission, as well as to request any support around your application.

Endorsements

An endorsement from community members (especially from outside your community) will be part of the considerations when reviewing your application. Community members are encouraged to endorse your project request here!