Cat Kutay
Research
Scientist
CSE, UNSW
ckutay@cse.unsw.edu.au
Project for Language Learning through Software
The first software program for learning NSW languages was developed in
Newcastle and is designed around
an Access database. A pamphlet describing this system is here. A similar database structure
has been used to collect information on languages spoken in Sydney from
other regions. This will be extended to the local Indigenous Sydney
languages when the system is working.
A database was set up in Wiradjuri and the present software enables the
database to be searched. The present project is to extend the
functionality to structure lessons for learners of this language.
Scope
The program at present displays the data in the database, as words,
translations, sound of the word spoken by an indigenous speakers, and
an example sentence using the word (also spoken), plus an image to
describe the word if possible.
This functinality is being used to contruct language learning lessons
for students of Indigenous Languages in schools.
We want to extend this capability to include language parsing. Then
students can enter sentences constructed from the words they have
learnt
and have the program suggest translations.
Also basic gramatical structures and common elisions (eg cannot ->
can't) can be noted as feedback to the student.
