WikiConference India 2023/Submissions/Submitted/The story behind the creation of a dictionary and encyclopedia for endangered language - Arebhashe

The story behind the creation of a dictionary and encyclopedia for endangered language - Arebhashe

Abstract/description of your session

The customs and traditions of the people of a country are reflected in their mother tongue. When such languages become extinct, so do the cultural ethos they carry. The agrarian revolution has already led to the extinction of hundreds of cultural practices. Now the last link to that culture is the old folks, who are the last generation who can impart those rich cultures to the new generations. So to have that link stay alive for the coming generations we are constructing a platform and making contributions which can be used as a stepping stone for the ones that come after us.

Endangered Regional Languages: Karnataka's coastal region is home to a number of endangered languages. Kannada is the only language officially recognised by the government of Karnataka, but there are many other languages spoken in remote areas of the state. All of these languages are known as Kannada because of how easily their administrative formula can be articulated in Kannada, the administrative language. However, each of these is a regionally distinct individual language. Languages like Arebhashe, Kodava, Tulu, Byari, and Koraga, among others, have had the folklore research, vocabulary, grammar, encyclopedia, handbook, and other resources needed for language study completed. Kodava, Tulu, and Byari Study Chairs and Arebhashe Research Centers have been established at Mangalore University.

How does it connect with the WCI 2023 theme/focus

As Wikipedians since 2014, we both received invitations in 2020 to join the Karnataka State Arebhashe Samskrithi Mattu Sahitya Academy, where we systematically contributed to the creation of a 950-page dictionary and a 450-page encyclopedia for the underrepresented language.

• This feat will give an opportunity for the people outside the native speakers to interact with the language and will serve as a bridge that closes the gaps between languages.
• For the other Wikimedians, this will be an opportunity to connect with our works as well the languages we are trying to preserve.
• For us, we will be able to interact with other Wikimedians and gather new ideas and techniques which we can implement in our own cause.

Speaker name/s or username/s

BHARATHESHA ALASANDEMAJALU Vishwanatha Badikana

Community/Organization

• Tulu Wikimedia Community

Contact details (optional)

• bharuab(at)gmail(dot)com

Language of the session

• English/Kannada/Tulu

Session type

• lecture (15 mins)

Session outcomes

• How can Wikipedia’s involvement become history-making in underrepresented small languages?
• Learning how to preserve unrepresented languages in a scientific way that will open doors for the future generations to emulate or do research on the endangered languages thereby keeping it from going extinct which will also keep the culture and traditions that are intertwined with the said language.

Support required from organizers

• Projector, Speakers

Consent for recording

• Yes