"Online Language Learning Tools"
Paskenta Band of Nomlaqi Indians
An innovative online learning tool to preserve the Nomlaki language and a tribe's cultural heritage.
* Much of Paskenta site is for Tribal members only. Call Steve at (503) 230-2058 to arrange a private demo.
How many people do you know who've created an online dictionary for a language that did not previously have a written alphabet? The Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians was on the verge of forever losing their identity as a Tribe until a group of far-seeing elders fought to have the Tribe re-recognized by the US Government.
As part of their on-going cultural preservation process, Hot Pepper built an interactive dictionary for the Nomlaki language. Working directly with the Tribal linguist, we crafted an application for both language learners and academic linguists. The site includes a sophistocated series of administrative tools for managing the on-going work of curating the language, including the ability for the Tribal linguist to work with the dictionary tools in locations without Internet access.
The site itself is visually stunning. Each element contains cultural meaning for those who know how to interpret the images. To help far-away Tribal members feel close to their land, the site background changes with the time of day in Paskenta. Landscape photos automatically track the change of the seasons in Paskenta as well.
Work Samples
