Learning phonology with data in the classroom: engaging students in the creolistic research process

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2024

Authors

Trigo, Luís (Author) FLUP; Silva, Carlos (Author) Other; Almeida, Vera Moitinho de (Author) FLUP

Journal

Title: International Journal of Humanities and Arts Computing

Vol. 18 No. 1

Pages: 40-57

ISSN: 1753-8548

Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Indexing

ISI Web of Science

Scopus

EBSCO

ERIH Plus

Humanities International Complete (EBSCO)

Worldcat OCLC

ProQuest

Library & Information Science Source (EBSCO)

MLA International Bibliography

Current Contents

Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO)

Humanities Source Ultimate (EBSCO)

Other information

DOI: 10.3366/ijhac.2024.0320

Abstract (EN): Phonology is a linguistic discipline that is naturally computational. However, as many researchers are not familiar with the use of digital methods, most of the computation required is still performed by humans. This article presents a training experiment of master’s students of the phonology seminar at the University of Porto, bringing the research process directly to the classroom. The experiment was designed to raise students’ awareness of the potentialities of combining human and machine computation in phonology. The Centre for Digital Culture and Innovation (CODA) readily embraced this project to showcase the application of digital humanities as humanities in both research and training activities. During this experiment, students were trained to collect and process phonological data using various open-source and free web-based resources. By combining a strict protocol with some individual research freedom, the students were able to make valuable contributions towards Creolistic Studies, while enriching their individual skills. Finally, the interdisciplinary nature of the approach has demonstrated its potential within and beyond the humanities and social sciences fields (e.g., linguistics, archaeology, history, geography, ethnology, sociology, and genetics), by also introducing the students to basic concepts and practices of Open Science and FAIR principles, including Linked Open Data.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific