General Information

Take me to the interactive guide & module!

Language gathering & collection is an enriching, fulfilling experience. It involves planning, reflection, and support.

For a thorough walkthrough of collection methods, community testimonials, and resources, check out this tool below:

What is the goal of collecting language information for FirstVoices?

Most people use FirstVoices in order to try to learn their language, either as a supplement to immersion-based learning methods like Mentor-Apprentice, or on its own. Teachers also like to use FirstVoices to develop lesson plans for their classes. With that in mind, we want to ensure that the information we collect is:

• As accurate as possible.

• As thorough as possible. This is especially important when it comes to collecting verbs (action words).

• Useful for language learners. If you open up an English dictionary, you can find all sorts of words that aren’t used on a daily basis. It’s great to collect those things in the long term but your priority should be useful information. It’s good to remember to ask yourself: “Is this a useful thing to say?”

Important: Every language is unique!

While there are lots of things that are similar (universal) in all languages, there are also things that make every language unique. If you are using English to ask speakers how to say something, you will soon find an example where your speakers say, “We don’t say it that way in our language!” That is OK! You shouldn’t be concerned about translating things word for word from English.

Focus on the concept and let speakers express it in the natural way in their language. For example, if you ask someone how to say “She’s carrying the box” it might not be easy to express that in the same way. Is she carrying it with both hands or on her back? What kind of box is she carrying? All of these ideas might have to be included.

So remember: don’t translate! Just ask the speaker to express the meaning in the way that is most natural to them.

What if there is no word for that?

Sometimes you will come across a word that doesn’t exist – maybe for technology like a computer or cell phone. Ask yourself: “Is this a useful thing to say?”

If the answer is yes, ask your speakers if they would have a way of expressing the concept in a sentence or ask if they would like to make up a word. All languages add new words all the time so do the same with your language! If your speaker is not comfortable making up new words, keep a list of them. Then later, you could set up a meeting with several speakers to decide on new words.

Where do I find out more?

Check out the interactive Language Gathering & Collection Guide!

This digital tool is a self-guided resource for in-community language recorders and technicians. You can use this "Choose Your Own Adventure" styled approach and tailor different methods to your needs and goals.

You will self-direct your learning and encounter:

• language collection strategies (e.g., stories & oral histories, conversations, word lists & Rapid Word Collection/ group recordings)

• testimonials from community members who use these methods

• ways to identify and mobilize grammatical information on FirstVoices.com

• downloadable resources & helpful suggestions for community recording & language projects