[A12n-forum] Re: African oral literature

[Andrew Cunningham <andrewc@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi

Don Osborn wrote:

> Elsewhere I have mentioned the potential for using the audio capacities of
> computers & internet for sharing oral literature - and indeed for
> combinations of text, audio and image that use African languages in
> different ways.
>
> There exist several organizations dealing with oral traditions and
> literature in Africa, of which I append a list of four below.  There are
> probably others.  The CELHTO site has a list of archives from the ARTO
> project, which involves digitization and storage. This in particular
> reminded me of the suggestion to make more spoken African language material
> available on the internet as part of a larger strategy for more African
> language web content.
recording of oral traditions is very important.

There has been initial discussions locally among some of the Dinka here 
in Melbourne to establish a Dinka Digital Library. Part of it would be 
recordings of oral history, traditions and foktales. These would also be 
transcribed.
The second element would be to provide access to materials about the 
language: grammars, dictionaries, literacy resources.
The third element is to provide an electronic repository for material 
published electronically in Dinka.
At the moment, its just an idea that some memebers of the community have 
started throwing around. No ideea on time scale.
There are other priorities taking up their time, esp. the setting up of 
Dinka literacy courses for the local community who want to learn to read 
and write their own language.
Andrew

--
Andrew Cunningham
Multilingual Technical Officer
Online Projects Team, Vicnet
State Library of Victoria
328 Swanston Street
Melbourne  VIC  3000
Australia

andrewc@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ph. +61-3-8664-7430
Fax: +61-3-9639-2175

http://www.openroad.net.au/
http://www.libraries.vic.gov.au/
http://www.vicnet.net.au/