LT Connect, IT Connect and ICCM Francophone Africa

LT Connect or mini Outilingua: The task of Bible translation and language development is very enormous and requires the work of Translators, Linguists, Literacy staff, Scripture Engagement workers etc. All these people require specialized computer applications to be able to carry on with their activities. It is the role of the language technology worker to ensure that everyone who needs a special piece of software is well trained to use it. For this reason, LT Connect makes the resources and tools available so that IT staff, who are not necessarily LT workers, can help. Primary reason for this is because there are hardly any LT workers to begin with. For me, this is also a beginning point in training LT workers.

LT Connect participants

Joined IT Connect and ICCM Conference:    
IT Connect is an annual training event of IT staff serving in Bible translation with SIL International and Alliance Organisations in Africa. It is a time to connect and share updates on what is going on in our areas of work. Learn from one another, share challenges and above all, be in a community of practice, with the knowledge that IT is one of the core services in the success of  Bible Translation.

ITConnect and ICCM Participants in Burkina Faso

How was LT Connect done?
During the 2.5 days LT event participants  were basically given language technology tasks to resolve. Although resources were available such as the above website, ask other LT experts, the expectation was that they wrestle with these tasks first and determine what they could do to resolve them.
For some staff this was very challenging and for some it was less of a challenge. For my team (Etienne and Kadada), they found it easy because I have included them in LT events that I organise so they can learn bit by bit. Besides supporting IT related issues we are very willing and able to also support LT related issues. We would welcome more LT related support requests.

CABTAL team to Burkina Faso in Jan 2019

How was IT Connect/ICCM done this year? This year, IT Connect and ICCM participants were given topics to prepare and teach (facilitate). This was not easy for most of them because they are not often involved in training but in the end, it was an idea that they really appreciated. They want to facilitate lessons more and more so as to be comfortable and capable in their different roles. There were several topics to choose from.

Next steps: We expect that every participant will take what they have learned, discuss with their leadership and see how it can best be applied in their context according the needs in place. We also expect to see a wider community of practice amongst colleagues harnessing the available technology to expedite the work of Bible translation and language development in Africa.

My role in these events: Initially, I had heard that Francophone IT staff are really struggling. In my role, I get in touch with them once in a while as we work in an IT community  of practice offering help to one another. As one of the conference facilitators, I worked with three participants preparing teaching modules. This was an opportunity for me to coach them to do this successfully. I was equally involved in interviews with the participants in finding out how things are going for them in their locations.

Meeting with Douada IT staff @ SIL Niger

Photo pose with Ziba Dieudonne, IT staff at ANTBA