Looking for Best Open-Source Tools for Language Development Projects ??

Hello everyone,

I am working on a language development project and looking for the best open-source tools to assist with tasks like dictionary creation, script development and translation workflows. I came across SIL software like FieldWorks, WeSay and FLEx but I am not sure which one would be the best fit for my project.

A tool to help with language documentation and analysis.
Something that supports collaborative work.
A user-friendly solution for non-technical linguists.

Does anyone here have experience with these tools: ?? How do they compare in terms of usability and flexibility: ?? Also, are there any other free or open-source alternatives you’d recommend: ??

I would love to hear your insights and experiences !!

Thanks in advance.

With Regards,
DanielFlutter

LingtranSoft.info/apps/results provides overviews of many programs that would be useful to you, from initial language survey work through analysis and documentation to preparing materials in a language. There are several pages of program descriptions to scroll through.
You can also search for a particular topic and find discussion about it. In the Search field near the top, type the kind of activity for which you want to find a program.
Once you find one or more of these programs helpful, you can keep installers up-to-date on your computer using the LangTran Software Distribution System. This is particularly if the internet is unreliable or expensive where you work.
You asked about Flex and WeSay: Flex is the dictionary-building part of FieldWorks, and WeSay is a dictionary builder where an advisor can help mother-tongue speakers of a language get started with just words and meanings, and add things like part-of-speech and illustrative sentences later.
Rapid Word Collection is a method for finding many words in semantic domains very quickly. Flex, WeSay and the older Toolbox can all be used for entering the words that come from this method, but there is now a special program to make the project easier, The Combine. It is not listed at LingTranSoft yet.
I have used a number of these programs, and may be able to answer specific questions. Regards,
Jim

Hi there,

You’re definitely looking in the right place!

In addition to what Jim mentioned, there are two other tools I should highlight.

The successor to Language Forge is called FieldWorks Lite. It’s still being developed. It’s going to be a simplified version of FieldWorks (FLEx) that basically runs in a browser window. So you can use it on any device. Long term there are goals to make the app run offline and give admins the option to simplify the interface for collaborators. FW Lite is going to be a great tool for lexicography development and collaboration.

In the meantime, you can still get started with Language Forge. All of your data will transition over.

If you want to make a collaborative project, you may need to create a LexBox account first. The development team has been making improvements to account creation and the onboarding process and I’m not sure where they’re at right now.

Hope that helps.