2019:Languages/ConLangs in Wikimedia: From dreams to reality
 | This is an Accepted submission for the Languages space at Wikimania 2019. |
Description
When you hear the word "conlang" ("constructed language") you can remember the Klingon language and ask "What it have to do with Wikimedia?". Well, not every constructed language is like Klingon...
There are several types of conlangs (fictional, artistic, national, international auxiliary etc) which serve different purposes. The purpose of Klingon was to enhance an artistic work. The purpose of international auxiliary conlangs is to help with world-wide communication - that sounds much better to start a Wikimedia project in such language! In fact, there are already several of them, some of middle size. But, despite their early entry to Wikimedia world, their role in the Wikimedia movement is still bit ambiguous and unclear.
In the lecture I am going to present the today situation on conlangs in Wikimedia environment (mostly as content language, not as a topic for content in another languages), their influence to wider Wikimedia community and possible paths to future.
Relationship to the theme
This session will address the conference theme — Wikimedia, Free Knowledge and the Sustainable Development Goals — in the following manner:
- 4. Quality education:
- International auxiliary languages have communities around the globe, so Wikimedia content in that languages can represent vast variety of perspectives, thus helping to achieve neutral point of view.
- Constructed languages are in some ways similar to minority languages - e.g. there is lack of interest about them in the general culture. Focusing little bit more attention on them will help improve coverage in Wikimedia projects (in another languages).
- Cultural artifacts of constructed languages are naturally locked in these languages and often does not come outside. At least preserving them in Wikisource and Commons will increase diversity of content.
- 10. Reduced inequalities:
- Languages that are required in the globalized world make significant part of humanity a second class citizens. International auxiliary languages are usually created to be easy to learn and use, so Wikimedia content in such languages reduces education resources inequalities.
Session outcomes
At the end of the session, the following will have been achieved:
- The audience can differentiate between constructed languages intended for real human communication and other ones (artistic, fictional, philosophical etc).
- Increased awareness about the situation of constructed languages in Wikimedia projects.
- The session recorded for conlangs' enthusiasts around the globe.
Session leader(s)
- --KuboF Hromoslav (talk) (Esperanto and Free Knowledge, Leader of the Preparatory Committee)
Session type
Each Space at Wikimania 2019 will have specific format requests. The program design prioritises submissions which are future-oriented and directly engage the audience. The format of this submission is a:
- Lecture
Requirements
The session will work best with these conditions:
- Room: Usual classroom setting is most appropriate.
- Audience: No prior knowledge on topic is necessary; open-mindedness is advised. Not limited by size of audience. You are especially welcome if:
- you doubt usefulness of conlangs in Wikimedia or you are not sure about their role or/and
- you speak some conlang(s) (beside national ones, but you are still welcome!).
- Recording: Yes, please! Appreciated. As this is a lecture, a fixed position video recorder is OK. If there will be a mic for lecturer, another one for audience (for better recording) would be appreciated (but not required).