DRAFT

Language work

There's a lot of language technology software out there. The full list can be found here. In fact, at each stage of the work, anthropological analysis, linguistic research, Bible translation, scriptures’ publication, specific software supports the work.

 These include (those with an asterisk are the most important ones):

• *Fieldwork Language Explorer (FLEx) for dictionary development, including the rapid word collection feature. You may be asked to export data from FLEx to DAB.
• Saymore is a tool for organizing videos, audio, (images, and several additional files) with additional metadata in the early stages of language research.
• *Keyman, for keyboard development. You may be asked to help create predictive keyboards.
• *Paratext, for Bible translation. You may be asked about the simultaneous use of different versions in a team, or for help with the Paratext Registry. ScriptureForge is a way to check the comprehension of a text online.
• PTXprint, for printing scriptures drafts
• PrimerPrep. Which allows you to import reference texts to count the letters. It is used to help choose the order of introduction of letters in a syllabary or to create a predictive keyboard in Keyman.
• *Bloom, for publishing books, including syllabaries or audiobooks. Bloom allows you to create decipherable books that limit the number of characters that can be used, and books with gradual learning (which allow you to define the number of words per sentence, word per page, word per book).
• Glyssen which divides a text into roles for a dramatized reading. It allows you to load a Paratext project and then confirm the assignment of the passages to the different roles. It allows you to export to HearThis.
• HearThis for text recording. You can then play audio on MegaVoice or apps
• *App Builders to create apps, like reading apps, or dictionary apps or keyboards on smartphones. You may be asked for help editing CSS files to change styles.

Providing Language software support often involves general computer skills, for example:

• This implies not only to install this software, but it's also very important to update them regularly.
• Some programs rely heavily on the operating system, or its applications, for audio or video capture (i.e. Aeneas installation for text and audio synchronization).
• Paratext and FLEx offer a Send\Receive tool (but it's not automatic in Flex) which allows you to back-up your projects on the cloud. You must consider it when planning your backups.
• The installation of App Builders may require your intervention as an IT specialist for the installation of Java. You can find installation procedures online.
• Paratext provides the Chorus Hub feature for cooperative work over a local network. Setting it up may require your help. 
• Using regular expressions can help make bulk changes to texts. You may use it in other contexts.(i.e. For bulk changes in a folder tree)

It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the concept of character encoding, composed or  discomposed. Software like Tavultesoft Character Identifier allows you to see how a character is formed for a given keyboard, whether it is composed or not, and which font fully supports these characters. SIL Enconding Converter allows you to process unicode conversions via Tech Kit

When supporting App Builders, it is useful to familiarize yourself with the software that allows you to view the smartphone screen on a PC. Software like Vysor, DroidatScreen or AirdDroid cast. You also need to be familiar with the Developer options on Android. Go to Settings, About, Software Information, click on version number several times. Go back to Settings, Expand Option, enable USB Debugging.

If you only work occasionally on language technology issues, it is a good idea to form partnerships with LT specialists to whom you can redirect questions. But if you work at least 40% of your time in Language Technology, it is a good idea to join a Community of Practice in this field. They meet once a month. For more information, please contact David Ouandah, Team Leader for Anglophone Africa and Jeff Heath, Team Leader for Francophone Africa.

Depending on your assignment, you may want to continue learning about these softwares. It is recommended to develop a system of personal notes on these softwares. You will be able to improve your own documentation as training and support opportunities arise. This could be your first level of resources in case something goes wrong.

 You can also refer to the help menu in these software programs or check out the resources below:

•  https://lingtran.net/LingTranSoft%20Wiki - Find various training materials on many tools.
• http://outilingua.net (the same in French)

• https://lingtransoft.info/ - Find information about LT profession and also details description about various LT tools and which domain they serve.
• https://sites.google.com/sil.org/language-technology-academy/home - Where you can take free courses on LT
• https://vimeo.com/lingtransoft

• https://paratext.org/videos/  find training videos on Paratext
• https://community.software.sil.org/ SIL's base site for LT support for software for anthropology, linguistics, alpha
• https://community.scripture.software.sil.org/ SIL's basic site for LT support for Scriptures
• https://groups.google.com/g/flex-list
• https://scripts.sil.org/

It is good to subscribe to software support websites. 

If you encounter an application error that has not been resolved by an update, you can submit an error report from within the software.