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This article describes findings from a workshop that initiated a dialogue between the fields of user-centered design (UCD) and language archives.
Physical Description
41 p.
Notes
Abstract: This article describes findings from a workshop that initiated a dialogue between the fields of user-centered design (UCD) and language archives. One of the challenges facing language archives is the fact that they typically have multiple user groups with significantly different information needs, as well as varying cultural practices of data sharing, access and use. UCD, informed by design anthropology, can help developers of language archives identify the main user groups of a particular archive; work with those user groups to map their needs and cultural practices; and translate those insights into archive design. The article describes findings from the workshop on User-Centered Design of Language Archives in February 2016. It reviews relevant aspects of language archiving and user-centered design to construct the rationale for the workshop, relates key insights produced during the workshop, and outlines next steps in the larger research trajectory initiated by this workshop. One major insight from the workshop was the discovery that at present, most language archives are not meeting the needs of most users. Representatives from all user groups expressed frustration at the current design of most language archives. This discovery points to the value of introducing a user-centered approach, so that the design of language archives can be better informed by the needs of users.
Publication Title:
Language Documentation and Conservation
Volume:
10
Page Start:
641
Page End:
681
Peer Reviewed:
Yes
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More than half the world's languages are at risk of no longer being spoken by the end of this century. Language archives can be important resources for language revitalization and research, but need to accommodate the needs of all user groups. This 2016 workshop documented the perspectives of key stakeholder groups and generated initial conceptual frameworks to guide further research in this area.
Wasson, Christina; Holton, Gary & Roth, Heather.Bringing User-Centered Design to the Field of Language Archives,
article,
November 16, 2016;
Honolulu, Hawai'i.
(https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1042591/:
accessed May 26, 2024),
University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu;
crediting UNT College of Arts and Sciences.
