Sumittra Suraratdecha


2024

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Akha, Dara-ang, Karen, Khamu, Mlabri and Urak Lawoi’ language minorities’ subjective perception of their languages and the outlook for development of digital tools
Joanna Dolinska | Shekhar Nayak | Sumittra Suraratdecha
Proceedings of the Seventh Workshop on the Use of Computational Methods in the Study of Endangered Languages

Multilingualism is deeply rooted in the sociopolitical history of Thailand. Some minority language communities entered the Thai territory a few decades ago, while the families of some other minority speakers have been living in Thailand since at least several generations. The authors of this article address the question how Akha, Dara-ang, Karen, Khamu, Mlabri and Urak Lawoi’ language speakers perceive the current situation of their language and whether they see the need for the development of digital tools for documentation, revitalization and daily use of their languages. The objective is complemented by a discussion on the feasibility of development of such tools for some of the above mentioned languages and the motivation of their speakers to participate in this process. Furthermore, this article highlights the challenges associated with developing digital tools for these low-resource languages and outlines the standards researchers must adhere to in conceptualizing the development of such tools, collecting data, and engaging with the language communities throughout the collaborative process.