The Centre for Text Technology (CTexT) at the North-West University (South Africa) are developing data for several African languages, viz. Hausa, Igbo, Kinyarwanda, Wolof and Yoruba. The developed data will be used in proofing tools such as spelling checkers and grammar checkers. These tools are important human language technology resources that enable speakers of the language to preserve and promote their language and culture while benefitting from Information Technology advancements.

This project is a part of Microsoft’s Local Language Program, a global initiative to provide desktop software and tools to their customers by collaborating with local experts (governments, universities and other interested parties). Their aim is to help build a robust local IT economy to:

- Help bridge the language and digital divide between developed and emerging markets.
- Help preserve language and culture. Help technology impact language and culture in a positive way.
- Help maintain the connections between communities.

In order to conduct this project successfully, we are currently sourcing any available resources, most notably electronic resources (word lists, corpora, etc.) and people (experts and assistants) to contribute to the project.

Should you have access to any resource, or if you could suggest someone who would be interested in being a subcontractor for us, please contact me: Sulene.Pilon@nwu.ac.za and provide us with a broad idea of your expertise/resources, as well as contact information (especially a telephone number and time when we can call you, if necessary).

We look forward to hearing from you soon!