Introduction

Check out this article on some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Digitization and the Language Technology Program. 

There may be terms or topics that are new to you or used in different ways than you expect. Learn more about archiving and digitization jargon by perusing our glossary, here: Glossary of Digitization Terms

FAQ

What is Digitization?

Digitization is the process of converting or changing analog (non-digital formats) materials to digital or electronic ones. 

This process can take many forms. Sometimes it is as straightforward as scanning paper documents to make PDF files. Other times, it is as complicated as rerecording wax cylinders into WAV files. 

The Language Technology Program Digitization component can support all digitization methods in converting, mobilizing, and safeguarding your Indigenous language materials. 

Where is Digitization done? 

Digitization can take place in-house or through outsourcing. 

In-house digitization is fully operated and done through team effort and in one’s own institution or workplace. This means that you and your team will work to identify materials, assess their conditions, process them, and then store them in your care.

What is Outsourcing?

Outsourcing digitization is when a third-party partner or additional partner processes the materials remotely, outside the institution or workplace. 

Outsourcing materials is a process usually done if a) there are a lot of materials to digitize b) materials are damaged or risky to digitize without the highest quality facilities or c) if an organization is unfamiliar with a format and is uncomfortable digitizing it. 

Outsourcing usually involves coordination and shipping materials away from a centre or location. And, this act can bring up many feelings: worry, stress, as well as relief. Having a trusted outsourcer is a relationship-building experience and can be extremely helpful. 

This method also usually costs more to do. The Language Technology Program Digitization component can support the outsourcing of analog materials to be digitized. 

How is Digitization accomplished?

Digitization can take many forms. Depending on what you are digitizing, there are many options that can arise. 

Paper-based materials 

Examples: Books, Documents, Binders, Ledgers, Posters, Maps, etc. 

Methods: 

• Scanning 

• Redrawing/Tracing 

• Photographing 

Audio-Visual (A/V) materials 

Examples: Audio-cassette tapes, VHS tapes, Betamax, Reel-to-Reels, etc. 

Methods: 

• Rerecording 

• Converting Signals (through a DiGi Kit) 

• Other Interfaces 

• Outsourcing 

For A/V digitization, the key is to have the right players or interfaces that can read the signals from the materials and then transfer them to a digital device. 

Depending on the format, it might be hard to find a usable interface for some materials. As formats age, manufacturers tend to make fewer and fewer models as new technologies become more popular. 

Outsourcing can circumvent this issue since museums, libraries, and mixed-media laboratories have state of the art equipment. Their tools are not as manufacturer dependent, usually. 

What can be digitized?

Any analog format can be digitized. For language projects, we usually see audio-cassette tapes, VHS tapes, Betamax, binders of papers, books, notes and manuscripts, and maps. 

For formats to be eligible to be digitized through the Language Technology Program Digitization component, a material needs to be at least related to language content, be mobilized in a language project, or be in the target language (e.g., your Indigenous language(s)). 

Can CDs and Floppy Discs be digitized?

Technically, no. 

CDs and Floppy Discs are already digital. Although they are an increasingly obsolete format, how they work is through encoded information and data on their shiny sides or internally in their chips.  

The Language Technology Program Digitization component does not consider CDs or Floppy Discs as eligible materials to list in your digitization inventory or workplan (currently).

What can I do with digitized materials?

So much! 

Digitized and archival resources open a window into the past and to our relations. 

Through review, sharing, and comparison, you can learn new insights to language use, new or old terms to reintroduce into a speech community, create databases of new content, and have ample materials to rerecord and transcribe/translate with contemporary speakers. 

Other benefits include: 

• Data sovereignty over records 

• Historical accuracy for the Nation/community 

• Historical reconstruction to revitalize a sleeping language 

• Resource mobilization and content creation 

• Continuation of language revitalization legacies 

For more information on the parameters of the DiGI component of the LTP grants, check out our Funding Guide: https://fpcc.smartsimple.ca/files/640907/f131258/FPCC_Language-Technology-Program_Funding-Guide_2023-2024.pdf