Technology as a tool to preserve the Welsh language
From virtual reality to a WordNet project, last week we found out more about the Welsh technology currently being developed to help preserve the country’s identity and language thanks to the Welsh Government’s Cymraeg 2050 grants, with the goal to reach one million Welsh speakers by 2050.
We attended a short event in Cardiff last week, where six ‘made in Wales’ projects were presented to the public (out of the 26 projects that received funding last year). Here’s a breakdown of what we learned:
Dementia VR
Researchers in Wales have developed a new virtual reality experience in Welsh to increase the understanding of what people affected by dementia experience on a daily basis. This way, anyone can walk in the shoes of someone living with dementia and understand how the disease affects family members or friends.
But why specifically in Welsh, you may ask? Because, according to the researchers and developers of the application, people are more comfortable dealing with topics like healthcare when the information available is in their native language.
The software, developed by Galactig and the Cyngor Gwynedd council, is currently compatible with Oculus Rift VR headsets.
Ap Cwtsh
This is a new mindfulness app completely in Welsh. Much like Headspace and Calm, this application helps you to relax and focus on your wellbeing by leading the users through three reflection sessions (morning, daytime and evening) in Welsh. During the presentation, the creator of the app mentioned that working on this product helped her deal with loss of her father due to dementia.
Besides helping its users to relax and concentrate, Cwtsh will also include a national directory for meditation sessions and yoga classes in the Welsh language — this directory will be called the Wellbeing Book.
You can follow Ap Cwtsh, an app developed with the support of the Menter Iaith Abertawe, on Twitter.
WordNet
Much more than a Welsh dictionary, WordNet Cymraeg (a lexical database for the Welsh language) also includes antonyms and synonyms grouped into ‘synsets’ to provide groups of words in Welsh that are related, based on lexical or semantic meanings.
WordNet, developed by Cardiff University, has been automatically grouped by an algorithm, so founder has created a task-based method with gamification features to get free user testing by turning the act of reviewing the database into a ‘game with a purpose’.
“These technologies will enable development of user-friendly interfaces of smartphone and smart home apps, which will drive the use of Welsh-medium digital technology for Cymraeg 2050.” Professor Irena Spasic, project leader, quoted by cardiff.ac.uk
Mapio Cymru
A Welsh render of OpenStreetMap that will allow Welsh-based mapping of Wales to happen freely, under an open licence. Mapio Cymru — Mapping for Walles has been created by ODI-Cardiff, an open data institute node, hosted by The Satori Lab Ltd in Cardiff.
You can check their website here and find some instructions on how to contribute here.
Bys a Bawd
This free interactive song-based resource for families and children is currently available on the iStore. The mixed reality experience has been created to make learning Welsh fun for children aged between 0 and 7 years old.
Bys a Bawd and its little mascot Bedo are making sure that the next generations keep the Welsh language and heritage going.
Wici Caerdydd
If you’ve searched on Wikipedia trying to find information in Welsh, you have probably realised by now that this is no easy task. Luckily, the project Wici Caerdydd — supported by the 2050 Cymraeg project — aims to increase the number of Welsh language articles available on Wikipedia, and to promote the use of the Welsh language through Snapchat.
The Wici Caerdydd group, composed of volunteers, meets at the Cardiff library to write Wikipedia pages in Welsh language, so far attacking topics from Peaky Blinders to women’s right to vote.
You can follow their account on Twitter to find out the latest updates.
Besides these six projects, the Welsh government grants were given to 20 other projects and the Welsh government is planning to do even more to make sure the Welsh language and heritage have a long healthy life ahead of them. As a company based in the South West, so close to Wales, we’re very excited to see what the future holds for the ‘made in Wales’ tech.
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