Welcome to the annual NLDSTC 2024!
This year's lineup includes a variety of engaging topics and hands-on workshops designed to enhance your skills and knowledge in language preservation, innovation and community empowerment. Each session is tailored to meet the diverse needs and interests of our attendees. To maximise your conference experience, please take a moment to explore the sessions description and register for the ones that align best with your goals and aspirations. Although the conference is free, early registration is recommended to secure your spot in these highly anticipated sessions.
Introducing our keynote speaker, Danlami Gwammaja. Danlami is a distinguished lecturer with extensive experience in linguistics and localisation. His profound insights into language preservation and development have made significant contributions to both academic and community initiatives.
Dr. Danlami will be sharing his expertise on 'Language Preservation and Development in the Digital Era: Perspectives and Strategies.'
Join him as he explores innovative approaches to safeguarding our linguistic heritage in the modern world.
12 NOON Monday 19, August 2024
Our second keynote speaker is Dr. Aliy Abdulwahid Adebisi, a senior lecturer of Arabic Language Education and Translation Studies at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. His research focuses on Arabic education and translation studies. He was appointed Deputy Director of the Centre for Cultural Studies and Creative Arts at Unilorin.
Dr. Abdulwahid Adebisi Ali's speech will focus on the title "Preserving and Advancing Language in the Age of Digital Technology: A case of translation in Yoruba-English- Arabic."
Don't miss this session, as it promises to provide valuable insights into the importance of inclusion in a multicultural society like Nigeria.
2:00PM Monday 19, August 2024
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Sessions Overview
This session titled, "Language, Technology and Identity: A study of the dynamics" aims to shed light on representation of Nigerian languages in the digital space, how technology has positively and negatively influenced Nigerian languages and its impact on one's identity. Sitting on the panel for this topic are diverse speakers of different Nigerian languages with experience in language technology, language advocacy, and digital representation of languages.
Participants will learn more about new technologies for language documentation, how to make good use of technology for the representation of Nigerian languages and the session will instill a sense of pride to all Nigerians towards speaking and safeguarding Nigerian languages.
11:00AM Tuesday 20, August 2024
No one is talking about the importance of integrating sign language into digital platforms, which is what this session aims to address.
The session, "Innovating for Inclusion: Sign Language in the Digital Era," will focus on the integration of sign language into our tech innovations. It addresses critical barriers faced by the hearing-impaired community, promoting linguistic inclusivity and technological access. This session will contribute to preserving sign language in the digital age and increasing access for the hearing-impaired community. It will also emphasize community empowerment by advocating for policies that ensure access for sign language users.
2:30PM Tuesday 20, August 2024
There are thousands of Content Creators in the world of today. The 21st Century has come with a wide paradigm shift from the normal way of conducting events into another different world of using technology which enhances and makes the contents better. However, with all these advancements and advantages offered by technology, language use plays a vital role in what the creators do. In every choice of communication today, whether print or broadcast, language comes first.
On this note, this session "The Use of Hausa in Content Creation" is to make Hausa language users aware of what it takes to be an excellent user of Hausa language in communication and content creation in the 21st Century.
11:00AM Wednesday 21, August 2024
Dive into the world of video editing with this session, "Video Editing 101: A Beginner's Guide for Aspiring Content Creators," learn some of the foundational editing skills that the facilitator has learned over the years whilst working as a digital marketing executive. You will learn how to transform raw footage into professional-quality videos using free tools, whether on mobile or computer. Explore the complete editing process, from importing footage to adding effects and transitions. Ideal for those new to video editing, this workshop provides a thorough understanding of the essential steps and best practices to get you started on your video editing journey.
Join the session and let's share ideas!
12:30PM Wednesday 21, August 2024
A major goal of this session, "Igbo speaking made easy" is to highlight the need to support Igbo language learning by empowering children to embrace their Igbo heritage and explore a world of opportunity through engaging and educational flashcards and almanacs. We will discuss the specific benefits of these proposed innovations for children: fostering interest, cultural connection, and knowledge retention. We will also open the floor for discussion around other innovative ideas and technologies that could support Igbo language learning.
Additionally, we will discuss the importance of collaboration with educators, linguists, and technology developers, as well as potential funding opportunities and partnerships to support Igbo language innovation and more.
2:00PM Wednesday 21, August 2024
For You and For All of Us is a thought-provoking session aimed at tackling the significant deficiency in Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools for African languages within the tech industry. The absence of these tools stems from a fundamental lack of comprehension regarding the intricate and rich linguistic features prevalent in African languages, including but not limited to noun classes.
Through this session, we will explore the notion that African language groups, despite their diversity, share more similarities than disparities. By advocating for the development of CAT tools tailored to Nigerian languages, we aim to motivate a shift that could facilitate seamless translations applicable to a range of languages on the continent. Despite recent strides, highlighted by Google's incorporation of select African languages, barriers persist, hindering technological progress.
11:00AM Thursday 22, August 2024
The emergence of digital media has brought both curse and blessing to the world. One way that digital media has brought us curse is the lack of human interaction between people. Everyone engages with their digital devices instead of interacting with fellow humans, and the outcome of this is unhealthy interrelationship between couples, friends, families and most importantly between parents and their children. Parents no longer have time to inculcate cultural norms in their children, no one tells evening folktales to their children as done previously by our forefathers.
This session "Content Creation and Digital Inclusion" looks at the values of using the Igbo language on a daily basis and the importance going back to our native culture.
12:30PM Thursday 22, August 2024
For over a decade, while working in the foremost radio broadcast station in Nigeria (Radio Nigeria), the facilitator has produced radio commercials and jingles that have been broadcast on many Nigerian radio stations. In this interactive workshop session, "Cut, Mix, Create: Hands-On Audio Editing Basics for Novices" you will gain hands-on experience with the core principles of audio editing. You will learn how to edit raw audio and effectively use open-source editing software to produce great audio content.
Even if you are new to editing, you will gain practical skills and the confidence to edit your own content.
12:00 NOON Friday 23, August 2024
Igbos were one of the few African tribes that gave the most powerful and continuous resistance against the white men on their quest of colonisation and human slavery. Some of these legendary wars are the Ekumeku war which lasted from 1883-1914. The anglo-Aro war was also one of the legendary Igbo wars. It lasted from 1901-1902. Most of this stories are not known by younger generations. African heroes should be celebrated and remembered. African language, culture and heroic wars should be rightly taught in school.
Spreading empowering information by teaching our real African history and explaining to the people how to build a great nation is a task that we all need to engage in. This session, "Teaching African mythology, cosmology and historical achievements" will help in building the people's mindset which will affect their social behaviour.
2.00PM Friday 23, August 2024