Tigrigna language spellchecker and correction system for mobile phone devices

This paper presents on the implementation of spellchecker and corrector system in mobile phone devices, such as a smartphone for the low-resourced Tigrigna language. Designing and developing a spell checking for Tigrigna language is a challenging task. Tigrigna script has more than 32 base letters with seven vowels each. Every first letter has six suffixes. Word formation in Tigrigna depends mainly on root-and-pattern morphology and exhibits prefixes, suffixes, and infixes. A few project have been done on Tigrigna spellchecker on desktop application and the nature of Ethiopic characters. However, in this work we have proposed a systems modeling for Tigrigna language spellchecker, detecting and correction: a corpus of 430,379 Tigrigna words has been used. To indication the validity of the spellchecker and corrector model and algorithm designed, a prototype is developed. The experiment is tested and accuracy of the prototype for Tigrigna spellchecker and correction system for mobile phone devices achieved 92%. This experiment result shows clearly that the system model is efficient in spellchecking and correcting relevant suggested correct words and reduces the misspelled input words for writing Tigrigna words on mobile phone devices

The Use of Question Modification Strategies to Differentiate Instruction in Eritrean Mathematics and Science Classrooms

This qualitative study aimed at examining the question modification strategies Eritrean elementary and middle school teachers used to differentiate their instruction and meet the diversity in the classroom as well as the functions these strategies served in classroom interactions. The research data consisted of videotaped recordings (N = 11 videotaped lessons) of classroom interactions in eight mathematics and science classrooms, which were analysed through interaction analysis. The findings showed that Eritrean teachers utilised the following five question modification strategies either independently or in combination: repetition; rephrasing; clarification; decomposition; and code-switching. Although repetition was the most commonly used strategy, it was not found to help teachers to differentiate their instruction. Likewise, the utilisation of rephrasing was dependent on how effectively teachers captured students’ misunderstandings and modified their questions accordingly. Instead, clarification, decomposition, and code-switching were found to be the most highly developed question modification strategies from the viewpoint of differentiation. It was concluded that the question modification strategies were dominant and workable elements of classroom interactions in teacher-led and poorly-resourced large classrooms, such as those in Eritrea

Minority empowerment, Self-determination rights and Sub-national constitutionalism in Tigray National Regional State: An analysis of the ‘Kunama community’ case

Since the FDRE constitution was promulgated in 1995, it was hoped that constitutionalism would be an irreducible national value and consequently serve as the main democratic response to the historical questions of self-determination and empowerment rights of all Ethiopians- majorities and minorities alike. Indeed, the constitution declared both individual and collective rights of the minority and majority Ethiopians are equally protected and complementarily recognized at all levels of self-administration and shared governance. Those rights are also recognized and guaranteed in similar way in the constitution of Tigray. This then implies that based on the federal and regional constitutions, the Kunama community (the subject of this study) as minority group can legitimately claim wide range of rights. Three components of self-determination rights namely; language and cultural rights, self-governance rights, and representation and participation rights are of special importance in this study. The purpose of this research was then to analyze the empirical relationship between self-determination rights, sub-national constitutionalism and minority rights in Tigray by taking the Kunama community as a case of analysis. To this end, the research collected primary information from in-depth- interviews and focus group discussions with officials, professionals, students and elders of the Kunama community in addition to document analysis of secondary sources. And, its findings revealed that having democratic and comprehensive constitutions at national and subnational levels is neither sufficient enough nor end in itself in terms of fully realizing minority self-determination and empowerment rights for minority groups as there appears to be marked realization challenges in this respect in the Kunama community context. And, this has a long term impact of widening and deepening minority–majority (the Kunama Vs the Tigrigna speaking people) and the minority – minority (the Kunama Vs the Irob community) gaps and tensions in the region. The gravity of the problem thus implies that bold initiatives and intervention schemes are required both from the supply side and demand-side levels to fill up the implementation challenges in the process of fully realizing self-determination rights and thereby empowering the Kunama community. Key words: Minority, Minority rights, Minority empowerment, Self-determination rights, Sub-national constitutionalism

KenSwQuAD -- A Question Answering Dataset for Swahili Low Resource Language

The need for Question Answering datasets in low resource languages is the motivation of this research, leading to the development of Kencorpus Swahili Question Answering Dataset, KenSwQuAD. This dataset is annotated from raw story texts of Swahili low resource language, which is a predominantly spoken in Eastern African and in other parts of the world. Question Answering (QA) datasets are important for machine comprehension of natural language for tasks such as internet search and dialog systems. Machine learning systems need training data such as the gold standard Question Answering set developed in this research. The research engaged annotators to formulate QA pairs from Swahili texts collected by the Kencorpus project, a Kenyan languages corpus. The project annotated 1,445 texts from the total 2,585 texts with at least 5 QA pairs each, resulting into a final dataset of 7,526 QA pairs. A quality assurance set of 12.5% of the annotated texts confirmed that the QA pairs were all correctly annotated. A proof of concept on applying the set to the QA task confirmed that the dataset can be usable for such tasks. KenSwQuAD has also contributed to resourcing of the Swahili language.Comment: 17 pages, 1 figure, 10 table

A Combined Approach towards Measuring Linguistic Distance: A Study on South Ethiosemitic Languages

The distance among closely related languages is usually measured from three dimensions: structural, functional and perceptual. The structural distance is determined by directly quantifying the phonetic, lexical, morphological and syntactic differences among the languages. The functional distance is measured based on the actual usage of the languages, e.g., mutual intelligibility and inter-lingual comprehensibility. The perceptual distance is related to the subjective judgment of the speakers about the similarity or intelligibility between their native language and the neighboring related languages. Studies on language variation measure linguistic distances at least from one of these dimensions. However, as Gooskens (2018) and Tang and Heuven (2009) noticed, languages do not differ just in one dimension; they can be, for example, phonetically similar but syntactically different. The present study, therefore, combined these three perspectives to examine the distance among purposely selected ten South Ethiosemitic languages (Chaha, Endegagn, Ezha, Gumer, Gura, Inor, Kistane, Mesqan, Muher and Silt'e). The study aims to (1) determine the areal classification of the languages; (2) illustrate the similarity or difference between the areal classification of the languages and previous classification by historical linguists; (3) determine the degree of mutual intelligibility among the languages; (4) examine the relationship among the three dimensions of linguistic distances, and (5) explore major determinants (linguistic and non-linguistic) which contribute to the linguistic distance among the languages. The structural distance was determined by computing the lexical and phonetic differences based on randomly selected 240 words. The lexical distance was defined as the average of pairs of non-cognates in the basic vocabularies. Levenshtein algorithm (Heeringa, 2004; Kessler, 1995) was used to compute the phonetic distance. The phonetic distance was defined as an operation that is required to transform a form of sequence of phones. Semantic Word Categorization test was adapted from Tang and Heuven (2009) to measure the functional distance. Self-rating test, based on the recordings of \u2018the North Wind and the Sun\u2019, was administered to determine the perceptual distance among the languages. With regard to the linguistic determinants, the degree of diffusion of the phonetic and lexical features was estimated using Neighbor-net network representation and lexicostatistical skewing. The study also examined the influences of four non-linguistic determinants: geographical distance, population size, the degree of contact among the speakers and language attitude. Gabmap was used for clustering and cluster validation. Multidimensional scaling and fuzzy clustering were employed for the cluster validation. The classifications obtained from each of the distance matrices were compared to the previous classifications (by historical linguists) based on the cophenetic distance among various sub-groupings. The results of the cluster analysis show that the ten selected South Ethiosemitic language varieties can be fairly grouped into five: {Chaha, Ezha, Gumer, Gura}, {Mesqan, Muher}, {Endegagn, Inor}, {Kistane} and {Silt'e}. This classification is very similar to the classifications previously proposed by historical linguists (e.g. Hetzron (1972, 1977). There is also very strong correlation among the measures of the three dimensions of distance. However, these measures have different degree of reliability; the structural distance is the most reliable measure while the perceptual distance is the least reliable distance measure. Furthermore, the Word Categorization test results show that many of these languages are mutually intelligible. Silt\u2019e is not mutually intelligible with any of the languages investigated in the present study. The results obtained from the analysis of the linguistic determinants show that the similarity among the language varieties is mainly the result of the contact among the languages. Moreover, the results of the analysis of the non-linguistic variables indicate a strong positive correlation between the geographical distance and linguistics distance, and positive contribution of the contact among the speakers. Nevertheless, there is no significant correlation between the linguistic distance and population size. Besides, among the three dimensions of measuring linguistic distance, it is the perceptual distance that is most affected by the attitude of the speakers

The Integration of Refugees in Norway: Reflection from the Eritrean Refugees in Two Municipalities

The influx of refugees into Europe, Scandinavia, and Norway and the challenges that came along on how to integrate them into the host communities has been at the front-and-center of public and media debates in recent years. As part of that, this study initiated to explore the integration of Eritrean refugees in two municipalities in Norway and identify the challenges they have had during the process. To accomplish this objective; the study adopted a qualitative approach. Accordingly, an in-depth interview with the Eritrean refugees, local people, refugee guides and key informants has been carried out. Besides, focus group discussions were conducted with two groups of Eritrean refugees from the two Municipalities. The study revealed that the refugees have several barriers that hinder them from achieving the expected progress in the integration program. The main obstacles identified by the Eritrean refugees in their integration process include: inadequate personal efforts, language, cultural differences, inability to find employment, health issues, separation from their families and friends, traumas they experienced during their journeys, views expressed by right-wing politicians and the role of the media outlets, has been identified by the refugees as obstacles for their integration. However, from the response of the study participants, the author is fairly convinced that by far the most important barrier among those mentioned is the insufficient personal initiative on the part of individual refugees. Having said that, other studies about barriers to integration shows gaps in the literature, and therefore, each of the barriers identified in this research needs to be studied further

Countering linguistic imperialism with stories in the languages of Africa: The African Storybook initiative as a model for enabling in and out of school literacies

Background: In South Africa, and in many other African countries, official language-in-education policy supports the use of learners’ primary language(s) in early schooling. In reality, texts in the language(s) of the former colonial power are dominant, with high-interest texts in languages familiar to young learners in short supply or non-existent. Where government education departments have begun to address this shortage, it is mainly by producing graded readers in the ‘standard’ variety of a language. Aim: The main aim of this paper is to demonstrate how quality texts can be provided in a wide range of African languages to stimulate children’s interest in reading, across the African continent and beyond. Setting: The African Storybook (ASb) initiative of the South African Institute of Distance Education (Saide) aims to provide illustrated texts in local languages and language varieties that enable children to read for pleasure and for learning. This is done through a publishing model that makes these texts available, cost-effectively, as needed, by teachers, librarians and caregivers. Methods: Internal reports, external evaluations, two interviews with the initiative’s co-ordinator and a review of selected texts on the ASb website provided data for analysis. Results: The analysis enabled reflection on the challenges faced and the successes achieved, identification of factors that have enabled many of the challenges to be addressed and finally consideration of what the initiative offers as a model for supporting literacy development in local languages. Conclusion: While the paper tells a story that includes elements of a cautionary tale, it is primarily a story that offers inspiration and guidance to other organisations already involved in, or wishing to embark on, the important project of providing texts for young readers in a wide range of languages

Infectious and non-communicable health conditions among newly arrived Eritrean migrants and refugees at arrival and post integration in Switzerland

Summary In the recent past years, due to the unprecedented refugee influx worldwide, the awareness of migration has started to get momentum globally. Several key discussion themes had been raised so far by politicians, economists, international organizations, humanitarian activists, public health expertise, as well as researchers. Particularly in the European context, the continuous upsurge of migrants is of great concern. Majority of immigrants from the south heading towards north are from the sub-Saharan African countries (SSA), where largest portion of them are in the category of low and middle-income countries (LMIC). Hence, migrants and refugees from this region are highly anticipated to have an earlier exposure to the endemic infectious diseases (IDs) before even they kick-off their migration tour. Moreover, due to economical impoverishment, the health system of most LMIC is incapable to provide even basic health care services. Adding to this, the exhausting journey along the Sahara desert and the stressful Mediterranean Sea voyage, expose refugees and migrants to destitute health statues. Even transit countries, being in an unstable condition, are not equipped to support them. That is why several refugees and migrants arriving in Europe disembark with several infectious diseases (IDs), non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mental health (MH), as well maternal and child health related complications. Several international organizations, such as the WHO European region, international organization of migration (IOM), and European center for disease prevention and control (ECDC), and others non-governmental organization (NGOs) have reported many easily treatable diseases on arrival and post-arrival. In Switzerland, similar to other countries in Europe, the number of refugees and migrants is on the rise. The reports from the federal office of statistic, federal secretary of migration, and international Red Cross of the country shows majority of the recently arriving refugees from the south are from Eritrea. Currently, migrants and refugees from Eritrea account for more than 32% of the immigrants in the country, making them on top of the table for the last 10 years in a row. Despite the large number of Eritrean refugees and migrants in the country, to our knowledge, the health condition of this population is not fully documented. Like most SSA, the health condition among the Eritreans is anticipated to be poor on arrival. But, apart from few case reported studies, there is no systematic screening procedure conducted. Hence, using novel approach, we intended to systematically screen newly arrived, asymptomatic, feeling healthy, Eritrean refugees and migrants at base-line and follow them for two years cohort. In this cross-sectional base-line study, we recruited voluntary participants from both males and females. Invitation letter (written in both English and Tigrigna, local language from Eritrea) was sent by post, using addresses retrieved from the registries’ of social assistants’ bureau. The study was conducted in two cantons in the north-west Switzerland, the Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft. At the base-line, among the screened IDs, schistosomiasis was reported in more than half of the asymptomatic refugees and migrants. Malaria was screened in 6%. Other IDs such as Giardia lamblia and Hymenelopis nana were also reported. As to NCDs and their risk factors, majority of participants had vitamin D deficiency. Hence, a onetime intramuscular supplementation of vitamin D3 was important and significantly improved serum vitamin D level. Since most of our study participants were young (median age of 25 years), several of the NCDs risk factors were within the normal range of scale according to the WHO recommended measures. In regarding to the mental health situation, nearly half reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This finding is similar to several studies conducted within Europe and outside Europe. This implies how demanding and frightening journey refugees and migrants had to overcome to reach their destination target in Europe. But the one year follow-up has showed an improvement toward their PTSD score in the post-migration statues. Though it is vital to investigate the poor mental health condition of immigrants using a qualitative assessment tool, findings from our study foresees the need of proper screening and handling. Some studies argue that, it is also possible the mental health of these immigrants to get worsened during the post-arrival, due to the anticipated delay of processing and inaccessibility to health care facilities. Hence, basic screening protocols on arrival, particularly for refugees and migrants from IDs endemic countries and/or transiting through one of them, can be suggested to reduce the sequel of asymptomatic chronic infections. Similarly, since the trend of the disregard NCDs and their risk factors among young immigrants is more likely to shift, boosting the consciousness is essential. This could be through intervention such as, engaging immigrants into behavioral change practices, for example outdoor exposure, physical activities and applying healthy diet menus as well. In general, our immigrants health study Switzerland (IHSS), has depicted the need of an extensive and broader study to understand the health disparities of migrants during pre-migration, along the migration path way and in post-migration. Only cross-sectional designed studies might fail to investigate and understand the roots, causes, progresses and epidemiology of the diseases. Similarly, health care services and demands of refugees and migrants may not be in-depth represented through quantitative approach alone. Hence, an integrated, holistic approach, embarrassing IDs, NCDs, mental health as well as maternity, childcare and family planning need to be implemented. As migration health is a complex theme to address discretely, collaborative efforts from regional and international organizations, including policy makers, NGOs, researchers and social workers and medical professionals and others need to join hand for the better health care services access to immigrants. This joint effort toward establishing a sustainable, equitable and affordable (SEA) health care access would greatly minimize the unnecessary public health expenses, reduce the efficient utilization gap by immigrants, and would be a tool to establish an efficient surveillance system. Hence, a more healthier, productive and efficient immigrant community could successful be integrated into the host countries

Debating ICT policy first principles for the global South : the case of South Africa

This article builds on the work of Robin Mansell and civil society inputs to the World Summit on the Information Society, to propose a set of first principles for ICT policy making for the global South. It draws on the case of South Africa, which has experienced a troubled path towards convergence of its media and telecommunications sectors into one ICT sector. Shying away from the realities of convergence will not help countries in the global South, such as South Africa, to confront challenges of ICT adoption and usage, such as the very real and present danger of ICTs reproducing or even reinforcing existing informational and communications inequalities. In fact, this article argues that policy is needed to ensure that the benefits of ICTs are generalised across society. However, in the absence of radical approaches to ICT policy-making, these developments risk becoming under-regulated or even unregulated, leaving them to the vagaries of the market. If policies are developed, they may be laundered from other contexts that do not speak to the informational and communications challenges of countries like South Africa..

Language and Identity Theories and experiences in lexicography and linguistic policies in a global world

This book was conceived during the closing event of the DiM project, developed within the framework of the Erasmus plus KA204 - Strategic Partnerships for Adult Education programme. Its fourteen chapters intend to offer food for thought on some of the currently most debated questions for linguists in the global village, and are divided into three thematic sections: 1) multilingualism, minority languages and the eternal dichotomy between orality and writing; 2) lexicography and L2 teaching; 3) the role of linguistics in particularly complex multilingual contexts. The book was published thanks to a grant obtained in 2018 by Regione Friuli Venezia Giulia