Celtic Knot
Wikimedia Language Conference
September 25, 2024-September 27, 2024
Waterford City, Ireland
The Celtic Knot Wikimedia Languages Conference is a unique opportunity for language enthusiasts, Wikimedia contributors, cultural advocates, academics, and researchers to come together and explore innovative approaches to language preservation, promotion, and recognition of Celtic, indigenous, minoritised and minority languages in virtual spaces. The conference will take place in Waterford City from September 25-27, 2024. Below is an outline of the thematic focus for each day.
Please note that all the times are indicated in local time in Ireland, which is UTC/GMT+1.
| Time
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Event
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| 19:00
☕️
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Informal Social Night
Join us at the conference venue for an informal social night with finger food, drinks, and live Irish traditional music. This is a great opportunity to mingle with other attendees and soak in the local culture.
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Theme: Journey Through Legacies: Tracing Celtic Knot Wikimedia Roots
The first day is dedicated to exploring the legacies of Wikimedia language pioneers. We will delve into the history and development of various language projects within Wikimedia, get insights on Celtic Knot community news, uncovering experiences that can inform our current and future endeavors.
| Time & duration
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Session & speakers
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| 09:00
50min
☕️
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Sign-in, registration and coffee at the venue
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| 10:00
25min
📯
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Opening address from the organizers
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| 10:30
25min
💡
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Assessing the Impact of a Welsh Government Wiki Partnership
Speaker: Jason Evans (Jason.nlw)
| Abstract
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The National Library of Wales has been working closely with the Welsh Government to increase access to knowledge in Welsh on Wikimedia platforms for the last 7 years. 5 years ago support for Welsh Wikipedia and Wikidata initiatives was explicitly written into the 5 year digital strategy for the Welsh language, with projects funded annually ever since. This talk will explore the initiatives they have supported, from community outreach and partnerships with education to the exploration of AI and linked open data to create and enrich Welsh articles and Wikidata entries. These initiatives have now been ongoing long enough to explore the long term impacts from increases in the readership of Welsh Wikipedia to innovative reuse of Welsh language Wikidata. This talk will reflect on the highlights of the collaboration with the Welsh Government and explore the impacts, the challenges faced and thoughts on next steps.
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| 10:55
25min
💡
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From Bloody Sunday to Translating Ireland. Translatathon @ Uniba Meets the Celtic Knot
Speakers: Maristella Gatto & Ferdinando Traversa
| Abstract
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The University of Bari has a long tradition in Irish Studies and has been working for a few years with Wikimedia Italy in projects aimed at involving students in Modern Languages on Wikimedia projects. In 2022 the Bloody Sunday Project was focused on the translation of the "Bloody Sunday" article from en.Wikipedia to it.Wikipedia (see w:it:Progetto:Coordinamento/Università/UNIBA/Bloody_Sunday) just before the 50th anniversary, and the results were shared in a conference about the tragic event. As a follow-up to this project, a new initiative for the translation of articles related to Bloody Sunday and the Troubles was developed involving high school students (see w:it:Progetto:Coordinamento/Scuole/Liceo_Salvemini). In 2024 we organised a translatathon on Irish culture as part of a one-day international conference on Irish studies. The conference included a public reading of Irish poetry translated from Irish into Italian by the late Rosangela Barone, as well as talk by renowned international scholars (see [1]. The conference launched a new translation marathon devoted to Irish studies [2]). Other projects we have organised involved translating articles about medicine and tourism on it.Wikipedia and Wikivoyage.In this talk, we’d like to present how we organized these projects, outline their results and then share our ideas for a possible follow-up involving the publishing of Celtic poetry on Wikisource, accompanied by the Italian translation. We feel Wikimedia projects are important means to promote Irish culture and poetry, and we are willing to contribute from a cross-cultural perspective.
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| 11:20
10min
💬
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Q&A for the previous sessions
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| 11:30
15min
☕️
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Coffee break
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| 11:45
50min
💡
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Lightning talks - Community news
1. #wici365 Daily Articles in Welsh Challenge, Siôn Jobbins
| Abstract
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In 2018 a small but dedicated crew of writers for the Welsh language Wikipedia - Wicipedia - set the challenge to write an article a day for Wicipedia. It's still going ... but maybe not as daily and the hashtag #wici365 can be seen on the @Wicipedia Twitter account. In the short Lighting Talk, Siôn Jobbins, one of the crew will highlight some international collaboration during that time and time type of articles he wrote. He'll also share how he writes articles for Wicipedia - mostly adaptations of articles in other languages, but also unique articles in Welsh. He'll outline some challenges including the need for new words in Welsh, which itself underlines how important having content in minoritized languages is so important for the vitality and breadth of the languages. Siôn will also discuss efforts to try and bring in the wider Welsh language community to contribute to the Wicipedia.
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2. Beyond Wikipedia: How Wikimedia Technology Empowers the Fon Language, Mahuton Possoupe
| Abstract
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The Fon Wikipedia was officially launched in 2023 and counts today thousands of pages and an active community of editors. Wikimedia technology helps us share knowledge about the Fon culture, its history and people on Wikipedia. In this presentation, we will share about how the Wikimedia technology empowers the Fon language beyond Wikipedia.
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3. Galician Toponymy in Wikipedia: References for 40,000 Articles, Estévez Iglesias
| Abstract
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In Galicia there are 313 councils, 3771 parishes and more than 37 000 hamlets. Some of them have the same name, but there are many, many diferent toponyms. The etymologies of their names allow us to know about the history of our country, since the pre-roman heritage (is there any celtic influence?), with the latin heritage and the suevian and arabic legacy. Wich bibliography and references could we use as sources to explain the origin of the galician place names? The etymology of a toponym is usually explained in the respective Wikipedia articles, but in some cases we can also use the Wikidata P138 property (named after), and understand the chains of naming process. We could also categorice the articles according to the origin (latin, germanic, arabic...), name meanings (hydronyms, oronyms, zoonyms, hodonyms...). All those places have got their coordinates in Wikidata, so we could also analyze the historical dialectology of Galician language through the toponyms.
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4. Indonesian Language and the Indonesian Wikimedia Movement, Lindan Malik
| Abstract
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| This presentation highlights Indonesia’s contributions to Wikimedia projects, focusing on the role of the Indonesian and regional languages. Starting with a brief overview of the history of the Indonesian language, it will cover how the Indonesian community has been actively involved in developing content on Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects, including efforts to preserve regional languages through Wikimedia projects in local languages. The challenges and opportunities for further development will also be briefly discussed.
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| 12:25
20min
💬
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Q&A for the lightning talks
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| 12:45
45min
☕️
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Lunch break
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| 13:30
25min
💡
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Dagbani Wikipedia Saha: Using Digital TV Channel to Recruit More Editors to the Dagbani Wikipedia
Speakers: Wunpini, Bitamsimli, SIR SUCCESS (NAA JAHINFO)
| Abstract
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Global Voices, through its Rising Voices initiative, partnered with UNESCO to produce a toolkit resource called “Digital Initiatives for Indigenous Languages” as part of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages. The resource is for all types of language communities interested in leveraging the Internet and digital media to promote and position their languages in digital spaces. With the input of nearly 800 speakers of Indigenous languages from across the world, the toolkit is not designed to be a recipe for digital practice, but rather to support users to create their own road map based on their own interests and current context. The resource focuses on eight different key approaches: Facilitate, Multiply, Normalize, Educate, Recover, Imagine, Defender, and Protect.
RV has been offering virtual and in-person workshops that use central elements of the resource as a starting point, creating a space for reflection among peers and helping participants imagine a roadmap to chart their journey in the world of language digital activism. A key feature of these workshops is that they are led by facilitators from the same language community as the participants, further reinforcing the peer learning model. Recently, we partnered with Wikimedia affiliates/emerging groups in Guatemala, Ghana, and India to pilot these workshops. The hypothesis is that by engaging with speakers from different language communities who have expressed an interest in a more broader way through digital activism, then the pool of potential participants for all types of digital projects, including Wikimedia projects, will grow.
We will provide an overview of the toolkit and workshop design. We will hear from three individuals (either remotely through pre-recorded videos or in-person) from the Wikimedia movement who facilitated the pilot workshops. They will share their experiences and discuss how these sessions can benefit their local work.
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Workshop: Wikidata editing session on Lexemes
Facilitators: Mohammed Abdulai (WMDE), Alhassan Mohammed Awal
| Abstract
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Since 2018, Wikidata has also stored a new type of data: words, phrases and sentences, in many languages, described in many languages. This information is stored in new types of entities, called Lexemes (L), Forms (F) and Senses (S). Lexicographical data will serve as the basis for Abstract Wikipedia's natural language generation capabilities. This hands-on workshop will guide participants on editing the Lexicographical data namespace in their native languages, adhering to best modeling practices.
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| 14:00
25min
💬
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To be confirmed
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| 14:30
45min
💡
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Keynote address: Dr Kevin Scannell
Dr. Kevin Scannell, former Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science at Saint Louis University, will share his experience in developing computing resources for under-resourced languages. Dr. Scannell's contributions include creating language tools for Irish, Scottish, and Manx Gaelics, and he is known for his role in localising platforms like Gmail, Twitter, and WhatsApp into Irish. His initiatives such as Indigenous Tweets and his contributions to Vicipéid (Irish-language Wikipedia) and Wikidata have been crucial in promoting the use of minority languages in digital spaces.
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| 15:15
25min
💬
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Open Discussion and Day 1 Wrap-Up
Final discussions, reflections on the day
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| 16:00
120min
🏛
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Free time - Optional Guided City Walk with Waterford Treasures
| Details
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Every day, attendees are encouraged to explore the beautiful city of Waterford. Capture stunning photos of the city's monuments and enter our #WikiLovesMonuments Photo Competition!
As part of your conference pack, attendees will receive a Freedom of Waterford ticket allowing visitors to enjoy an ‘Epic’ walking tour of the Viking Triangle with an expert guide, taking in 1,000 years of history in 1,000 paces. Following the walking tour, the Freedom of Waterford ticket from Waterford Treasures enables each visitor to take a deep dive into their favourite era of Ireland’s heritage with complete access to:
- The Medieval Museum
- Bishop’s Palace
- The Irish Museum of Time
- Irish Silver Museum
- Christ Church Cathedral
Walking tours will take place at 16:00 each day and begin just a short stroll from the Tower Hotel and Conference venue.
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| 18:00
120min
🎨
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Lino Print Workshop with Artist Aoife Cawley.
We’re thrilled to offer a lino print workshop with the talented Irish artist Aoife Cawley. Spaces are limited, and booking will open in mid-September, so stay tuned for more details!
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Theme: Momentum Unleashed: Overcoming Barriers, Igniting Progress
On the second day, we shift our focus to the present. We will highlight contemporary Celtic Wikimedia initiatives, discussing the roadblocks we face and sharing strategies for overcoming challenges. The day will feature the launch of the WikiWomen Erasmus+ Project resources and toolkits, with a panel discussion on the outcomes of the project.
| Time & duration
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Session & speakers
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| 09:00
50min
☕️
|
Sign-in, registration and coffee at the venue
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| 10:00
25min
💡
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Translating MediaWiki into Three Saami Languages
Speaker: Kimberli Mäkäräinen (Yupik)
| Abstract
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Edit(!), (to) edit, or (an) edit? Change: change what exactly? Even yes and no can be problematic. Simple strings in MediaWiki are not as easy to translate as it seems at first glance. Yet translating MediaWiki is often one of the first things new language communities are expected to do. In this presentation, I will discuss some of the challenges translators have faced when translating MediaWiki into Northern, Inari, and Skolt Saami, the solutions they have come up with for them, and how MediaWiki could be even further improved to make it easier for language communities to translate.
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| 10:30
25min
💡
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Empowering Low-Resourced and Minoritized Languages in Morocco
Speaker: Reda Benkhadra
| Abstract
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Over the last years, Wikimedia Morocco UG has placed support for language development at the center of its strategy and activities with the aim of reducing the knowledge gap. In the span of few years, three new Wikipedia versions in Moroccan languages have emerged, and other projects are at an advanced stage within the Incubator. Two versions are in Amazigh languages - one in the standardized form (adopted in 2011) and the other in the Tashelhit language (spoken by approximately 6 million people). The other Wikipedia project is that of Darija, which is a spoken language but does not have a linguistic standard, and considered by some to be vernacular Arabic. These projects have become the largest open datasets in these languages, and have enabled other applications by external stakeholders, notably in natural language processing, named-entity recognition and also in chatbots. However, while contributors and communities typically join to develop content, they often find themselves engaging in activities beyond their skills and knowledge to sustain and advance these projects. Consequently, the group's targeted efforts encompassed a wide range of actions, including attracting and retaining contributors, developing technical tools (such as automation and bots, etc.), leading and taking part of language standardization and advocacy initiatives. This presentation intends to shed light on the collaborative approaches led by the local affiliate to encourage the growth of small/low-resourced Wikipedias and overcome the challenges facing these projects.
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| 11:00
25min
💡
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Opening Sources in Breton Language: Offering the “Minoritized” Language to the Majority
Speaker: Dr. Tristan Loarer
| Abstract
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I would like to present two innovative projects which highlight the strategies for providing resources (once the challenges have been overcome) in the Celtic languages, in this case, in breton: The first tool, outside the framework of Wikimedia, DEVRI, is a creation which offers free access to a diachronic dictionary of the Breton language. The second tool, within the Wikimedia community, is the collection and distribution of Breton literary sources on WIKImamenn (WIKIsource).
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| 11:30
30min
☕️
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Coffee break
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| 12:00
90min
💬
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Multiplier Event: WikiWomen Erasmus+ Launch
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| 13:30
45min
☕️
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Lunch break
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| 14:00
45min
💡
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Keynote Address: Prof. Ríona Ní Fhrigil
Ní ceadmhach neamhshuim: Poetry and the Ethical Imagination
| Abstract
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Prof. Rióna Ní Fhrighil is the Principal Investigator of the research project Republic of Conscience: Human Rights and Irish Poetry, funded by an Irish Research Council Laureate Award. Prof. Ní Fhrighil is a graduate of the University of Galway and Trinity College Dublin. She holds a joint first-class honours BA (International) degree in German and Irish (NUIG), an MPhil in Applied Linguistics (TCD) and a PhD in Modern Irish (NUIG). Her doctoral research was a comparative study of the poetry of Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill and Eavan Boland. She is currently a lecturer in New Irish, Social & Celtic Studies at the University of Galway.
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| 14:45
50min
💡
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Lightning talks
1. (Forensic) Science and Gàidhlig on Wikipedia, Inge Birnie
| Abstract
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Many young people associate the Gaelic language with the educational domain and for many young people educated through the medium of Gaelic, the language does not make a significant contribution to their identity. Gaelic is considered as a language that is associated with traditional ways of life (mostly with connotations of rural island living). This project, which is in the very early stages, is building on a previous project to introduce Gaelic speaking young people to a new domain for the use of the language: forensic science. The first phase of this project involved introducing young people to forensic science activities through the medium of Gaelic through hands-on activities and the next phase will be to develop these activities further and encourage these young people to contribute Wikipedia articles on these topics through the medium of Gaelic. This will make expand the range of different topics that is available on the Gaelic version of Wikipedia, support the development of linguistic competences in young people in terms of Gaelic and introduce a new domain for the language, showing that the language can be used for a range of different functions, including those not traditionally associated with the language.
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2. Dissemination and Implementation of Catalan Terminology through Wikipedia, Ester Bonet
| Abstract
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The dissemination and implementation of Catalan terminology involves ensuring that specific terms in Catalan are known and used by their main users within each field. This includes various strategies, such as creating and updating articles on Wikipedia, organizing seminars and workshops with students to teach them how to edit and contribute to Wikipedia, and collaborating with terminology experts. In recent years, I have worked with students from the Autonomous University of Barcelona to promote and disseminate Catalan terminology, with a particular focus on terminology related to women in the labour market. This project has centred on using Wikipedia as a critical tool to ensure that terms like "breastfeeding leave," "workplace sexual harassment," or "double burden" are known and correctly used. The goal is for this terminology to be accessible and regularly used by everyone involved.
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3. The History of the Basque Country in 100 Objects, Galder Gonzalez Larrañaga
| Abstract
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The Basque Wikimedians User Group (EWKE) has launched a new initiative within its 2024-2027 program: The history of the Basque Country in 100 objects. Through the richness that we have in museums, we want to tell 100 passages about the history of our people, through Wikipedia, through a multimedia experience. This GLAM project will try to gather 100 different objects that can tell a story, asking different questions and improving our knowledge of our heritage.
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| 15:20
25min
💬
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Q&A for the lightning talks
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| 16:00
120min
🏛
|
Free time - Optional Guided City Walk with Waterford Treasures
| Details
|
|
|
|
Every day, attendees are encouraged to explore the beautiful city of Waterford. Capture stunning photos of the city's monuments and enter our #WikiLovesMonuments Photo Competition!
As part of your conference pack, attendees will receive a Freedom of Waterford ticket allowing visitors to enjoy an ‘Epic’ walking tour of the Viking Triangle with an expert guide, taking in 1,000 years of history in 1,000 paces. Following the walking tour, the Freedom of Waterford ticket from Waterford Treasures enables each visitor to take a deep dive into their favourite era of Ireland’s heritage with complete access to:
- The Medieval Museum
- Bishop’s Palace
- The Irish Museum of Time
- Irish Silver Museum
- Christ Church Cathedral
Walking tours will take place at 16:00 each day and begin just a short stroll from the Tower Hotel and Conference venue.
|
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| 19:00
120min
💃
|
Sean-Nós Dancing Workshop
Experience the joy of traditional Irish dance with Stéip le Tura (Cuthbert Arutura) at our sean-nós dancing workshop. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned dancer, this will be a fun and lively session and provide you with some key steps for the music dinner planned on Friday night!
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Theme: Visions Forged: Charting Paths in Language Advocacy
The final day focuses on the future. We will explore paths in language advocacy, discussing how strategic planning and language policy can strengthen language communities on Wikipedia and in other Wikimedia projects. We aim to sculpt a shared vision for the future of Celtic and minority language preservation and promotion within the Wikimedia landscape.
| Time & duration
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Session & speakers
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| 09:00
50min
☕️
|
Sign-in, registration and coffee at the venue
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| 10:00
25min
💡
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Wikipedia usage in successful Basque/Welsh trivia app games
Speaker: Luistxo Fernandez
| Abstract
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Egunean Behin (Once a day) is a Basque language app, a trivia game, highly successful since it was launched in 2019. Currently 40.000 people play it every day. A Welsh version, Cwis Bob Dydd, was launched in collaboration with S4C in 2023, and it's thriving too. The mechanics of the game require a backend database with thousands of trivia questions (question, correct answer, 2 incorrect answers), and that question database has been populated by various programmatic methods, 1st among them Wikipedia-Wikidata data processing.
For example, Wikidata querying and processing of landmarks of Wales or the Basque Country: get picture, type (castles, town halls, etc...), location by municipality, lat-lon so it can be plotted in a map... then different sets of Q's can be made from that. Show the picture of a landmark and put 3 answers... Plot a map with 3 pins (A, B, C) and ask where Landamark X is located... People data, artworks (movies, books in our languages), sports results, demographic data... many kinds of question types have been developed this way.
This method of question creation not only fills the database with lots of content, it also fulfills another necessity that's deemed very important for the success of Egunean Behin and Cwis Bob Dydd among its users: it's local content, relevant to Basque and Welsh players, that gets into the game, making it more attractive, even addictive (according to some users). So Basque Wikipedia (eu) and Wicipedia (cy) content is key for the game, a fine example of reuse and community building (sharing a game in your language).
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| 10:15
25min
💡
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Boosting potential participation in Wikimedia language projects through engagement with digital activism
Speakers: Eddie Avila, Cecilia Tuyuc, Sadik Shahadu, Amrit Sufi
| Abstract
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Global Voices, through its Rising Voices initiative, partnered with UNESCO to produce a toolkit resource called “Digital Initiatives for Indigenous Languages” as part of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages. The resource is for all types of language communities interested in leveraging the Internet and digital media to promote and position their languages in digital spaces. With the input of nearly 800 speakers of Indigenous languages from across the world, the toolkit is not designed to be a recipe for digital practice, but rather to support users to create their own road map based on their own interests and current context. The resource focuses eight different key approaches: Facilitate, Multiply, Normalize, Educate, Recover, Imagine, Defender, and Protect.
RV has been offering virtual and in-person workshops that use central elements of the resource as a starting point, creating a space for reflection among peers and helping participants imagine a roadmap to chart their journey in the world of language digital activism. A key feature of these workshops is that they are led by facilitators from the same language community as the participants, further reinforcing the peer learning model. Recently, we partnered with Wikimedia affiliates/emerging groups in Guatemala, Ghana, and India to pilot these workshops. The hypothesis is that by engaging with speakers from different language communities who have expressed an interest in a more broader way through digital activism, then the pool of potential participants for all types of digital projects, including Wikimedia projects, will grow.
We will provide an overview of the toolkit and workshop design. We will hear from three individuals (either remotely through pre-recorded videos or in-person) from the Wikimedia movement who facilitated the pilot workshops. They will share their experiences and discuss how these sessions can benefit their local work.
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| 11:00
25min
💡
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Wikimedia’s new language metrics as a resource for insights about (minority) languages
Speaker: Caroline Myrick (Wikimedia Foundation)
| Abstract
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This presentation provides an introduction to the language metrics being developed by the Wikimedia Research team. These include metrics about language coverage (i.e., which languages have projects, features, and capabilities across the Wikimedia ecosystem) and language representation (i.e., how Wikimedia language coverage reflects, or doesn’t reflect, the global language landscape). For minority languages such as the Celtic languages, these language metrics can be a useful tool for understanding the state of Celtic languages across Wikimedia projects.
The presentation will begin with an overview of Celtic language representation across Wikimedia projects, including hosted projects, pre-hosted projects (i.e., test wikis), and multilingual projects. Then, an overview of the language metrics project will be provided. Attendees of the presentation will have the opportunity to ask questions about the language metrics and give suggestions. The second half of the presentation will be used for showcasing how to use the language metrics data to answer specific questions about specific Celtic languages. This portion of the presentation will include a live demo of the data, which will be interactive and tailored to the needs of the audience; attendees will be able to ask questions that can be answered using the language metrics data.
By the end of the presentation, attendees will know more about the language metrics being developed by the Foundation; they will understand the current state of Celtic languages across Wikimedia projects; and they will know how to use the language metrics data to answer questions about Celtic languages and other (minority) languages.
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| 11:30
30min
☕️
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Coffee break
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| 12:15
25min
💡
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Unpacking Power Dynamics in Language Policy: Auxiliary Verbs in Ireland's 20-Year Strategy for Irish
Speakers: Hannah Yule Heetmann and Joanna Dieckmann
| Abstract
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While Irish is the first official language of the Republic of Ireland, as per Article 8 of the Constitution, it remains marginalised. As a result, various official revitalisation plans have been proposed. This study focuses on the language used in the 20-Year Strategy for Irish, in order to assess the implications for the implementation of the suggestions. According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO) only around 66% of participants speak Irish in some form, and only 45% speak Irish on a third level. This implies that many of the policy’s objectives may not be achieved. The paper will substantiate this assertion through detailed analysis of specified data.
Using a critical discourse analysis approach, this research examines how auxiliary verbs strategically position authors and assert authority within the policy document, specifically in the sectors of media, technology and education. The study investigates power dynamics inherent in language policy, through the use of active versus passive voice, adverbial modification, and thematic emphasis. The findings reveal intricate relations of force conveyed through the selection and usage of auxiliary verbs. Notably, ""will"" is used 338 times, predominantly to signify future intentions. However, 212 of those instances are used in passive voice. This suggests a specific framing of actions and responsibilities within the policy. By focusing on auxiliary verbs within this policy context, this study offers insights into broader issues of language planning and policy execution. These insights prompt critical reflections on how such linguistic choices within policy documents might impact the effectiveness of achieving the objectives related to promoting the Irish language.
This has the potential to be a valuable tool for non-governmental organisations to identify where de jure policy recommendations are likely to fail, and give them the opportunity to create their own provisions for language revitalisation initiatives.
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| 12:45
5min
💡
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Count von Count teaches Basque
Speaker: Count von Count teaches Basque
| Abstract
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Very light-hearted 5 minute fun presentation. Just introducing this funny pre-indoeuropean language of us (Basque), to mainly celtic (and other) folks. How we count in Basque with an addendum referencing a bizarre Wikimedia Commons category, worthy of Depths of Wikipedia: "Counting gestures as etymological explanations for Basque number names”.
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| 13:00
45min
☕️
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Lunch break
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| 13:30
45min
💡
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Keynote Address: Dr. Maggie Glass
Dr. Maggie Glass is a lecturer in the Department of English Linguistics at TU Dortmund. Her research primarily focuses on minority languages revitalisation through technology, with a special examination of language policy, as well as an examination of the linguistic landscapes in the Kaiserslautern Military Community. Dr. Glass co-chairs Working Group 4 (Language diversity, vitality, and endangerment) of the COST Action Language in the Human Machine Era (LITHME) and heads the Ethics Committee. Additionally, she co-created the ‘Virtual Communities as Breathing Spaces for Speakers of Minority Languages’ concept together with Dr Guillem Belmar.
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| 14:15
25min
💬
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Panel Discussion: Updates from the Language Diversity Hub
Speakers: Sadik Shahadu, Mali Brødreskift, Oscar Costero, Tochie Precious
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| 15:00
45min
💡
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Lightning talks
1. Developing an Open Educational Resource for Dagbani Language Learning, Musahfm
| Abstract
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Open Educational Resource (OER) development in Africa is a challenging task especially looking at issues of the platform to host the OER and skills needed to develop the content. The choice of the right platform is usually constrained by the lack of free availability of such platforms. There are a number of skills that one needs to be able to develop good quality OER some of which are to do with instructional design, curriculum development and quality assurance. This session looks into the development of an OER for learning Dagbani for beginners. An estimated 1.17 million people speak Dagbani language in Ghana and Togo. This paper reflects on the process undertaken by the speaker to successfully develop an OER that teaches how to read and write in Dagbani OER. Even though the OER is geared towards beginners, the developer planned so as to have future expansion which will cater for the language all the way to advanced level.
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2. Future of Language Incubation, Srishti Sethi and Caroline Myrick (Wikimedia Foundation)
| Abstract
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There are editions of Wikipedia in about 300 languages. And yet, there are many more languages that are spoken by millions of people, in which there is no Wikipedia and no Wiki at all. The Wikimedia Incubator, is where potential Wikimedia project wikis in new-language versions can be arranged, written, tested and proven worthy of being hosted by the Wikimedia Foundation. The Wikimedia Incubator was launched in 2006 with the assumption that its users would have prior wiki editing knowledge. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that this process is supposed to be mostly performed by people who are the newest and the least experienced in our movement. While editing on Wikimedia wikis has significantly improved since then, the Incubator hasn't received these updates due to technical limitations. In this session, we'll discuss the current state and future of language incubation, sharing research findings and brainstorming ways to improve the experience. We will begin with an overview of language representation across Wikimedia projects. We'll then delve into the current status and the future direction of languages onboarding at Wikimedia. We'll share the latest updates and research findings related to Incubator and other test projects, and then engage in a collaborative brainstorming session on approaches for enhancing the language onboarding experience.
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3. Building Inter-linguistic Bridges, Farah Jack Mustaklem
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Articles on different language editions of Wikipedia tend to focus the most on content related to the countries or regions those languages are spoken, and understandably so. Broadening the scope of coverage, especially in smaller language editions, is of great importance. One of the ways this can be achieved is by collaboration with different linguistic communities to focus on content related to the target language or culture. I will showcase several cross-linguistic collaborations that our User Group (Wikimedians of the Levant) has initiated or taken part in, and will promote the increased collaboration.
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| 15:45
10min
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Closing Address & Announcement for the Future of Celtic Knot
Speakers from: Wikimedia Community Ireland & Wikimedia UK
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| 16:00
120min
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Free time - Optional Guided City Walk with Waterford Treasures
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Every day, attendees are encouraged to explore the beautiful city of Waterford. Capture stunning photos of the city's monuments and enter our #WikiLovesMonuments Photo Competition!
As part of your conference pack, attendees will receive a Freedom of Waterford ticket allowing visitors to enjoy an ‘Epic’ walking tour of the Viking Triangle with an expert guide, taking in 1,000 years of history in 1,000 paces. Following the walking tour, the Freedom of Waterford ticket from Waterford Treasures enables each visitor to take a deep dive into their favourite era of Ireland’s heritage with complete access to:
- The Medieval Museum
- Bishop’s Palace
- The Irish Museum of Time
- Irish Silver Museum
- Christ Church Cathedral
Walking tours will take place at 16:00 each day and begin just a short stroll from the Tower Hotel and Conference venue.
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| 19:00
120min
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Conference Dinner
End the week with a special conference dinner featuring local Irish traditional musicians, a unique blend of Afro-Caribbean beats and Irish rap by UshMush, and captivating dance performances from local Mulcahy-Bible School of Dance and Stéip le Tura. It's an evening you won't want to miss!
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See also: now closed call for submissions.
A series of cultural events will take place after the conference sessions throughout the week. These events will be a wonderful chance to explore the rich cultural heritage of Waterford and Ireland, as well as to connect and unwind with fellow participants.
Explore the City & Enter the Wiki Loves Monuments Photo Competition
[edit]As part of your conference pack, you will receive a Freedom of Waterford ticket allowing visitors to enjoy an ‘Epic’ walking tour of the Viking Triangle with an expert guide, taking in 1,000 years of history in 1,000 paces. Following the walking tour, the Freedom of Waterford ticket enables each visitor to take a deep dive into their favourite era of Ireland’s heritage with complete access to:
- The Medieval Museum
- Bishop’s Palace
- The Irish Museum of Time
- Irish Silver Museum
- Christ Church Cathedral
Walking tours will take place at 16:00 each day and begin outside the entrance to Bishop’s Palace, just a short stroll across the road from the Tower Hotel and Conference venue.
To celebrate Celtic Knot coming to Ireland we are opening a special category and prize for Wiki Loves Monuments 2024 dedicated to monuments in Waterford.
Waterford is Ireland’s oldest city and steeped in history! That means while on a walking tour, you can capture your experience of built Irish Heritage and be in with the chance of winning prizes! You will find a WLM postcard in your delegate pack with more information about how to enter. For more information visit Wiki Loves Monuments 20204 in Ireland.
Join us at the conference venue for an informal social night with finger food, drinks, and live Irish traditional music. This is a great opportunity to mingle with other attendees and soak in the local culture.
Wednesday, 25th September: Lino Print Workshop
[edit]We’re thrilled to offer a lino print workshop with the talented Irish artist Aoife Cawley.
Aoife Cawley is a printmaker and textiles artist from Kildare, Ireland, but currently based in Scotland. She graduated in 2024 with a First Class Honours in Contemporary Art Practice from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Dundee. Cawley’s work is centred around stories and people from folklore and mythology, hagiographical and historical contexts. These stories or figures are commemorated through the mediums of printmaking and embroidered textiles. She draws inspiration from the past, looking back to medieval art, the Arts and Crafts Movement, and the Celtic Revival, and uses similar mediums and references to create her work.
Thursday, 26th September: Sean-Nós Dancing Workshop
[edit]Experience the joy of traditional Irish dance with Stéip le Tura (Cuthbert Arutura) at our sean-nós dancing workshop. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned dancer, this will be a fun and lively session and provide you with some key steps for Friday night!
Tura Arutura is a well-established Irish Cultural activist and performer who moved to Ireland 31 years ago from Southern Africa. His dance practice combines urban, traditional African, Irish music and dance. With dedicated study over the past 10 years, Tura has become one of Ireland's MasterSean Nós (traditional Irish) dancers and an aficionado of the Irish language and culture. The combination of African, and American influences, and Irish traditional dance creates a powerful and empowering reflection and celebration of diversity. Primarily a dancer, choreographer and composer, Tura has expanded into production, music composition, journalism and screenwriting. As an activist and voice for the preservation of cultures, he is renowned for teaching urban dance, unlocking creativity and enabling diversity amongst young people. His dance, music, and movement company Artfrique has produced hundreds of performances and workshops, and designed educational programs for nearly 30 years. He travels all over Ireland to learn and work with some of the most prominent Sean-nós dancers of our time. TikTok: Stéip le Tura
Friday, 27th September: Conference Gala Dinner
[edit]The conference will end with a special gala dinner featuring local Irish traditional musicians, a unique blend of Afro-Caribbean beats and Irish rap by UshMush, and dance performances from Stéip le Tura. It's an evening you won't want to miss!
Ushmush hails from the Wild West of Ireland. His music combines influences from traditional Irish styles, West African and Caribbean music, South American club music styles and radio-pop. With lyrics sung in a mixture of Irish Gaeilge and English, the self-described daidí of Reggaelton is a weird and wonderful addition to the Irish music scene. As a recording artist, he has released music with Irish labels SESH FM, and the Wagwan collective.
In 2018, the release of his debut video "Grá Mór" garnered attention from Nialler9, District Magazine, and Nós irisleabhair. The video, directed by Caimin Jacob, was nominated by Nós for video of the year 2018 and for newcomer of the year for 2018.
In 2019 Ushmush self-released his debut longform release "Oileáin" - the title alluding to the influence of island communities on his music.
In live performance, Ushmush is joined on stage by electronic producer and fellow Clare native FaL. In 2019 they performed with Kneecap, The Mud Bubble, Wagwan, PX Music, and at Limerick's All In festival in venues across the West of Ireland.
