Purpose and Overview
The Indigenous Languages Digital Archive (ILDA) is a web based archive designed specifically to support tribal efforts in archive-based language revitalization. ILDA allows for the organization, storage, retrieval, and analysis of digitized archival linguistic materials, and associated data, for the purpose of informing language revitalization and educational efforts by tribal communities who participate in National Breath of Life (NBoL) Archival Institute for Indigenous Languages.
Benefits and Features
Features:
- Digital Archive Database: Provides digitized (surrogate) archival linguistic materials for research and language revitalization.
- Search Functionality: Includes a robust search tool linking results to original archival materials.
- Access Control: Supports read-only access or authenticated access for expanded functionality.
Benefits:
- Research Supportive: Enables analysis and preservation of linguistic and archival materials.
- Culturally Focused: Supports language revitalization efforts for participating tribes and communities.
- Accessible: Provides web-based access with flexible permission levels for users.
- Cost-Free Use: No current fees for software access, with training largely grant-supported.
- Organized: Maintains structured, community-specific databases for clarity and relevance.
- Capacity Building: Promotes skill development through required training workshops.
Boundaries and Constraints:
- Eligibility-Based Access: Restricted to participant tribes and community researchers involved in National Breath of Life (NBoL) workshops.
- Training Requirement: Users must complete required ILDA training through NBoL workshops before use.
- No Service Fees (Current): Software access is free, but training participation is required and supported primarily through grants.
- Technology Requirements: Requires a modern web browser, internet access, and basic spreadsheet skills for transcription work.
- Digitization Responsibility: Users must provide their own digital surrogates; ILDA does not provide scanning or digitization of print materials.
- Hardware Needs: Users must supply tools such as scanners or cameras for converting physical materials into digital formats.
- Access Onboarding: Users must follow external onboarding steps via nationalbreathoflife.org and inquire through designated contact channels.
Getting Started and Support
Visit nationalbreathoflife.org for more information and then inquire at:
nationalbol@miamioh.edu
What can I expect?
- ILDA is available online 24x7x365.
- Support is available on a best effort basis.