Language Forge — Introduction
“Collaborative web-based dictionary building that syncs with FieldWorks.”
Language Forge Website
Language Forge is a web-based companion product for FieldWorks Language Explorer (FLEx), developed by SIL International, to allow users to contribute online to an established FLEx language project. Designed as a replacement tool for WeSay, (which is no longer under development as of 2019), Language Forge is user-friendly and does not require users to have linguistic training or advanced technical skills. In addition, language Forge supports wider collaboration on FLEx projects through online and multi-user support.
Data stored in Language Forge can only be exported through a linked FLEx project using SIL International’s Language Depot and cannot be exported directly from Language Forge. Instead, language Forge allows data from an established FLEx project file to be accessed by multiple approved users online. Changes made in Language Forge can then be synced with the established FLEx project file saved to the project manager’s computer. Built on web technology, Language Forge can be accessed anywhere with Internet access on both desktop and handheld devices with Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, or Android operating systems. Language Forge supports comments and discussion on individual lexicon entries, and tracks changes to the database in near real-time to online users. Media files, such as audio and pictures, up to 10 MB in size, are supported on Language Forge.
Language Forge is a collaborative, easy-to-use system that expands the data collection potential of a FLEx dictionary product. However, it is not intended to compile a dictionary independently of FLEx. The project manager must therefore be familiar with FLEx, which requires intermediate computer and linguistic skills and is only compatible with Windows and Linux.
The project manager maintains control, inviting users directly via email and assigning member roles with increasing levels of interaction permissions. The project manager can take action on user comments and access an overview of project activity and content through a landing page. Collaborative capabilities are expanded through assigned roles, engaging a wider team while determining who can edit.
Highlights
- Free to use
- Collaborative
- Synchronization across multiple devices
- Near real-time updates
- Archives data over the internet
- Compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android operating systems on desktop and handheld devices
- Unicode compliant
- User-friendly interface and design makes it accessible to those with minimal linguistic and technology skills
- A companion product of FLEx intended to make FLEx collaborative and accessible
- Straight-forward send/receive process between Language Forge and FLEx
- Data features can be personalized based on a user’s linguistic knowledge and familiarity
- Any number of people can contribute to a project
- Member-specific permissions are assigned by the project manager to allow control of who can edit
- Each entry has a feedback mechanism, allowing members to comment, reply, and discuss specific data
- Supports media files up to 10 MB
- Project activity can be accessed through the landing page, offering an overview and activity log
- User support available through SIL discussion forums
Considerations
- Minimal instructions and information available
- Until recently, it has not been a prioritized development by SIL International, so unlike its companion product, FLEx, it lacks extensive community support
- Cannot be used without internet access
- Data can only be exported through FLEx, requiring the project manager to be proficient in FLEx’s more complex development
- Certain tasks and edits must be done in FLEx (e.g., adding, configuring, or deleting custom fields, and editing input and writing systems) as of the October 2022 release
Alternatives to Language Forge
FirstVoices, Murkurtu, and Living Dictionaries all offer access to an online database similar to Language Forge. However, these tools do not connect with FLEx.
Examples of Dictionaries Using Language Forge
Support Service
SIL International does not offer any direct technical support for Language Forge, but offers avenues for community support through SIL discussion forums.
The Language Forge website offers links to SIL discussion forums, release updates, videos, and known issues and limitations with occasional instructions and answers to common questions. Users are also invited to report problems to issues@languageforge.org.
Developer
Language Forge is developed by SIL International. As of 2023, it appears to be regularly updated.