Software for Remote Dictionary Collaboration
J. Hatton · International Journal of Lexicography · 2011
As Language Documentation projects seek to involve native speakers in building their own dictionaries, they run into a problem: if we use computers, how can multiple people in disparate locations with differing degrees of technological training and connectivity work on a dictionary at the same time? In response, the Chorus software library has been developed and integrated with both FieldWorks Language Explorer (for linguists) and WeSay (for non-linguists). These now support disconnected and occasionally-connected collaboration, 3-way xml dictionary merging, notes, discussions, conflict handling, and full project history. Several projects are now experimenting with teams of linguists and native speakers working on the same dictionary, each with tools suited to their needs and expertise.