Information access in indigenous languages: a case study in Zulu

TitleInformation access in indigenous languages: a case study in Zulu
Publication TypeConference Paper
Year of Publication2002
AuthorsCosijn, Erica, Pirkola Ari, Bothma Theo, and Järvelin Kalervo
BooktitleEmerging Frameworks and Methods. Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Conceptions of Library and Information Science (CoLIS4)
PublisherLibraries Unlimited
LocationSeattle, WA, USA
EditorBruce, H.
Abstract

This study focuses on the intellectual accessibility of information in indigenous languages, using Zulu, one of the main indigenous languages in South Africa, as a test case. Both Cross-Lingual Information Retrieval (CLIR) and metadata are discussed as possible means of facilitating access and a bilateral approach combining these two methods is proposed. Popular CLIR approaches and their resource requirements are analysed and the dictionary-based approach combined with approximate...