Nunaliit — Reviews & Guides

Resource Type: Wiki

GitHub. “nunaliit_tutorial.” GCRC. https://github.com/GCRC/nunaliit_tutorial/wiki. Accessed May 4, 2023.

This thorough step-by-step tutorial provides users with an overview of Nunaliit and the essential processes for setting up an atlas. With screenshots and links to external resources throughout, the tutorial is takes users through every step of the Nunaliit process from scratch, assuming the user has no prior knowledge of a Linux operating system.

Users will find this the best place to start as it offers a brief overview of what Nunaliit is and how it functions on a given operating system. While the tutorial is easy to follow in its structure, intermediate tech skills are required.

This tutorial wiki can be found here.

Resource Type: Wiki

GitHub. “nunaliit: Nunaliit Documentation for Atlas Builders.” GCRC. https://github.com/GCRC/nunaliit/wiki/Nunaliit-Documentation-for-Atlas-Builders. Accessed May 4, 2023.

This comprehensive reference manual expands on the overview and essentials covered in the Nunaliit Tutorial Wiki, providing more information and greater detail on aspects such as pre-requisite documentation, the atlas directory structure, and instructions on how to create schema-structuring files.

This documentation is useful for users with extensive tech skills or those looking for a more in-depth understanding of Nunaliit’s operational functions.

This comprehensive wiki can be found here.

Resource Type: Academic Article

Hayes, A. and Fraser Taylor, D. R. 2019. “Developments in the Nunaliit Cybercartographic Atlas Framework.” Modern Cartography Series, 7: 205-218. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-64193-9.00013-0.

Developments in the Nunaliit Cybercartographic Atlas Framework

Abstract:

“This chapter describes the substantial improvements made to the Nunaliit Cybercartographic Atlas Framework since 2014. Three major challenges were identified at that time: different project data needs; local Internet availability; and the complexity of devices, formats and tools for contributing content. Considerable progress has been made in the response to these ongoing challenges. A number of recent developments in the platform are described including model-driven maps and styling, the integration of Garmin In Reach GPS devices, new semantic relationships, and D3js integration. The chapter concludes with a consideration of future developments of Nunaliit.”

This article can be found here.

Resource Type: Academic Article

Anonby, E. and Sabethemmatabadi, P. 2019. “Representing Complementary User Perspectives in a Language Atlas.” Modern Cartography Series, 7: 413-440. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-64193-9.00023-3.

Representing Complementary User Perspectives in a Language Atlas

Abstract:

“Traditional language atlases present a single view of language that of their makers (Girnth, 2010). This bias is especially evident in the production of language distribution maps. Appealing to structural and functional criteria in their assessments of language identification and relation, which are in turn precursors to describing linguistic geography, linguists bring one approach to the discussion. However, this position is not only measured arbitrarily, but is in practice also dependent on social factors. Cybercartography (Taylor, 1997, Taylor, 2005, Taylor, 2019; Taylor and Lauriault, 2014, Taylor and Pyne, 2010), as expressed through the Nunaliit Atlas Framework (GCRC (Geomatics and Cartographic Research Centre), 2006–2019, Hayes et al., 2014, Hayes and Taylor, 2019), facilitates the simultaneous representation of diverse user perspectives within a single atlas. This study looks at the Nunaliit-driven Atlas of the Languages of Iran (ALI) (Anonby et al., 2015–2019) as a case study. In this atlas, user perspectives are foregrounded through development and application of a three-dimensional language relation web; production and comparison of user-defined language distribution maps with each other, and with linguistic structure maps; and contributions from individual users. This chapter demonstrates that incorporation of perspectives and content from all audiences is not only essential in achieving a grounded and balanced understanding of language distribution in any language atlas, but also possible.”

This article can be found here.

Resource Type: Academic Article

Anonby, E., Murasugi, K., and Domínguez, M. 2018. “Mapping Language and Land with the Nunaliit Atlas Framework: Past, Present and Future.” In S. Drude, N. Ostler & M. Moser (eds.), Endangered Languages and the Land: Mapping Landscapes of Multilingualism, Proceedings of FEL XXII/2018, 56–63. http://www.elpublishing.org/PID/4009.

Mapping Language and Land with the Nunaliit Atlas Framework:
Past, Present and Future

Abstract:

“The Nunaliit Atlas Framework is a collaborative mapping platform designed for creating interactive online atlases following the principles of cybercartography. This paper provides an overview of the application of Nunaliit to mapping language and land, showing the evolution of cybercartographic language atlases from mapping Indigenous place names on topographic maps to displaying abstract language relations using non-geographical visual forms. The languages mapped in these atlases include Gwich’in (an Athapaskan language), the language of Canadian Inuit, and the languages of Iran. We also discuss future Nunaliit language mapping initiatives, with a focus on an astronomical atlas by the Indigenous Pa Ipai and Koal people of Mexico. Consistent across all these atlases is a commitment to language documentation, the importance of presenting language in context, and the collaborative process of atlas creation.”

This article can be found here.

Resource Type: Wiki

GitHub. “nunaliit: Issues.” GCRC. https://github.com/GCRC/nunaliit/issues?q=label%3Aquestion+is%3Aclosed. Accessed May 4, 2023.

Users are asked to pose questions on the Nunaliit wiki by opening a new issue, which the Nunaliit team will label as a question. Once the question has been answered, archived answered questions remain available for users to reference, functioning similarly to a Frequently Asked Questions page.

Users should check before opening a new issue to see if their question or issue has already been addressed by the development team.

The archived answered questions can be accessed here.