FieldWorks is a powerful suite of software tools designed to help manage linguistic and cultural data, from data collection to publication. Created by SIL International, a global faith-based nonprofit, FieldWorks aims to assist local language communities in overcoming linguistic barriers, promoting community flourishing, and enabling people to thrive using their most valued languages. FieldWorks supports over 1,300 language communities, impacting more than 855 million people. This guide will show you how to create a dictionary using FieldWorks.

Getting Started with FieldWorks

Install FieldWorks

  1. Download FieldWorks: Visit the FieldWorks download page to get the latest version.
  2. Install the Software: Follow the installation prompts to set up FieldWorks on your computer.

Set Up Your Project

  1. Open FieldWorks: Launch the FieldWorks Language Explorer (FLEx) application.
  2. Create a New Project: Go to File > New Project, enter a project name, and select the language for which you are creating the dictionary.

Using the Lexicon Area

The Lexicon Area is where you will input and manage the forms (stems, roots, morphemes, phrases, etc.) and their descriptions for your dictionary.

Add New Entries

  1. Navigate to Lexicon: Click on the Lexicon tab within FLEx.
  2. Create New Entry: Click the New Entry button to add a new word. Enter the necessary information such as the word form, gloss, part of speech, and any additional details you may have.

Edit Entries

  1. Bulk Edit: Use the Bulk Edit feature to populate multiple fields quickly. This is especially useful if you have a lot of data to enter.
  2. Customize Fields: You can toggle the visibility of different fields by using the “Show Hidden Fields” option to suit your data needs.

Configure Dictionary Layout

  1. Dictionary Layouts: Customize the appearance and order of entries in your dictionary. Go to Lexicon > Dictionary Layouts to define how your dictionary will look.

Analyzing Texts and Words

Import Texts for Analysis

  1. Texts & Words Area: Import texts that contain words you want to analyze. Click the Texts & Words tab and then Import Text.
  2. Interlinearize Texts: Use the interlinear feature to break down sentences into their component words and morphemes. This helps in identifying new words and adding them to your lexicon.

Use Concordance Tools

  1. Word List Concordance: Navigate to Concordance Tools to see every word in your word list and their contexts. This helps in finding and analyzing common words or phrases in your texts.

Grammar and Morphological Parsing

Define Grammar Rules

  1. Grammar Area: Go to the Grammar tab to define rules that govern the morphology and syntax of your language.
  2. Morphological Parsing: Use the parsing tool to break down words into their morphemes and analyze their structure.

Managing Cultural and Anthropological Data

Use the Notebook Area

  1. Notebook: Input field notes, categorize them, and link them to lexical entries. This helps in documenting cultural context and usage of words.

Lists and Custom Configurations

Configure Lists

  1. Lists Area: Customize lists like parts of speech, semantic domains, and more to fit the specific needs of your project. Go to the Lists tab to edit and create new lists.

Sharing and Collaborating

Use Send/Receive

  1. Send/Receive: Share your project data with team members using the Send/Receive feature. This enables collaboration and synchronization of changes. Follow the instructions for setting up Send/Receive based on your method (USB, Internet server, or local network).

Publishing Your Dictionary

Export and Publish

  1. Pathway: Use the Pathway tool to export your dictionary in various formats like PDF, Open Office, and WordPress (Webonary).
  2. Webonary: Easily publish your dictionary online by uploading it to Webonary. Configure your Webonary account and credentials in FLEx, then choose what to publish and click the upload button.

For more detailed steps and video tutorials, you can visit the FieldWorks Overview page and explore their library of demo movies.

By following these steps, you can create a comprehensive and functional dictionary using FieldWorks, helping to preserve and promote the use of local languages.