How to include the members of remote ethnic communities into the design process of the endangered language learning application : a case study with Nganasan community

Abstract

More and more indigenous languages nowadays are getting endangered, which makes people lose the diversity of their cultural values. Previous studies and professional literature suggest that digital language learning can be used to address this issue and contribute to language and culture revitalization. Participatory design became a trendy method to create interactive digital products together with the users. However, the concept of endangered language learning is not still fully studied in the field of Human-Computer Interaction, and there is not enough knowledge of how co-creation can be used to engage people from ethnic minorities in order to motivate them to use the application for learning their native language. This thesis work presents remote experimental research and contributes to the knowledge in the participatory research field, presenting the study in which children in the role of co-creators designed the materials for Nganasan language learning application. This study aims to understand how a digital language learning application called NganasanMe, will be used by remote community members, whose experience with the technology is limited, and how it will affect users’ motivation while using the application outside the educational environment. This research was conducted involving indigenous members of the Nganasan community, living in different parts of the Taymyr Peninsula. The research was divided into two parts, depending on the quality of the Internet connection in the homes of the participants. First, the offline study was conducted to explore how Nganasans would use the NganasanMe application and measure their motivation. The feedback from Nganasans was collected by using the questionnaire and interview. Then the participatory design sessions were facilitated with two Nganasan families. As a result, Nganasan kids produced the drawings as an asset for future application development. The results of the research demonstrate the potential of applying participatory design to increase motivation and help Nganasans to learn their indigenous language, feeling empowered. The study investigated how the language learning application might boost communication in the Nganasan in informal environments. According to the interview and questionnaire answers, Nganasans found the concept of digital language learning engaging and useful. However, only a minor part of the Nganasan community members is ready to participate in such studies, due to undeveloped conditions of life, socio-economic reasons, and people’s cultural attitudes. The study also reports the challenges faced by the researchers while designing an application for endangered language learning in a remote community. Yet, one of the results shows that engaging indigenous people in the design process helps to get and produce more qualitative design outcomes and support the cultural values.