Events

Launch of Anufo Language Wikimedians Group on 2nd February, 2025 Via Online Meeting at 8:00pm – 9:30pm

Agenda

Opening prayers Opening Remarks Introduction to Wikimedia Launch of Anufo Language Wikimedians Translation and Edit-a-thon Other matters Closing prayers

1. Opening Prayers A brief opening prayer was said by Peter

2. Opening Remarks Alidu Alhassan opened the meeting highlighting significance of Wikimedia and its sister projects (Wikimedia commons, wikidata, Wikipedia etc). He thanked Ramatu for her desire to help bring the Anufo language on the digital space. He also extended a hand of goodwill to Peter who has been very instrumental in the organization and encouragement of members to passionately rise up to digitalize the language through Wikimedia and its sister projects by writing and showcasing their unique cultural heritage on the global space.

3. Introduction of Wikimedia Brief Introduction Mohammed Awal Alhassan discussed the significance of Wikipedia as a global platform, emphasizing its role in making languages competitive on a global scale. He highlighted the technical support available for developing indigenous languages on Wikipedia, citing examples like the Dagare language. Alhassan explained the process of translating and customizing Wikipedia for local languages, including the use of the Translate wiki and Wikimedia Commons for media uploads. He mentioned the Wiki Loves Folklore photography contest and other Wikimedia projects like Wikidata and Wikivoyage. He concluded with a call for volunteers to translate and contribute to the incubator, stressing the importance of passion and commitment to the language's digital preservation. Action Items • Start translating content on the Anufo language on Wikipedia incubator page, focusing on the current edit-a-thon. • After translating, publish the translated content on the incubator page. • Summarize the work done on the incubator page. • Reach out to the Wikimedia team through WhatsApp for any assistance needed in the process. • The supporting team is ready to guide anyone on the page. Outline Wikipedia's Global Reach and Importance • Mohammed Awal Alhassan explains that Wikipedia is one of the most visited websites in the world, with Google often using Wikipedia for information. • He emphasizes that having a language on Wikipedia means it can compete globally, requiring only the commitment of speakers and writers. • Technical expertise will be provided to support the development of the language on Wikipedia. • Participation in Wikipedia can lead to training opportunities and connections with the global Wikimedia movement. Support and Commitment for Language Development • Mohammed Awal Alhassan shares his experience supporting the Dagare language, despite not understanding it, to highlight the importance of commitment. • He mentions sacrificing time and energy to assist others in the Wikimedia movement, leading to significant achievements. • The goal is to preserve languages on the digital space to prevent them from being lost. • The broader Wikimedia movement includes various projects, with Wikipedia being a key focus for now. Translating and Customizing Wikipedia for Indigenous Languages • Mohammed Awal Alhassan discusses the process of translating commonly used phrases and words in the Translate wiki to customize the Wikipedia landing page. • He explains the need to decide on terms for computer-specific words that may not exist in the language. • The landing page will feature translated text, making the website more accessible to speakers of the language. • Wikimedia Commons is introduced as a media repository for uploading images, videos, and audios, with rules governing the types of media that can be uploaded. Wikimedia Commons and Folklore Competitions • Mohammed Awal Alhassan explains the rules for uploading media to Wikimedia Commons and the potential for being blocked if content is not compliant. • He mentions the annual International photography contest "Wiki Loves Folklore" where participants can win prizes for submitting images of their local culture. • The contest is a global opportunity to showcase local culture and gain international recognition. • Winning the contest can lead to invitations to attend conferences and other opportunities. Wikidata and Other Wikimedia Projects • Mohammed Awal Alhassan compares Wikipedia and Wikidata, explaining that Wikidata presents information in a structured form. • Wikidata provides summarized information about a language or culture, while Wikipedia provides detailed articles. • Other Wikimedia projects include Wikivoyage (travel guides), Wiktionary (dictionary contributions), and Wikisource (book translations). • The focus will be on Wikipedia for now, with other projects to be explored later. Voluntary Nature and Opportunities within the Wikimedia Movement • Mohammed Awal Alhassan emphasizes that all contributions to Wikimedia are voluntary and unpaid. • He mentions that the Wikimedia Foundation sometimes advertises for jobs within the movement, offering opportunities for those serious about contributing. • The scope of the Wikimedia Foundation includes supporting Wikipedia, advocacy, technology, and other related activities. • There are always new things to learn within the Wikimedia movement, regardless of one's level of knowledge in technology or IP. Encouragement and Motivation for Participation • Mohammed Awal Alhassan encourages participants to be motivated by the goal of supporting their language and contributing to its digital presence. • He shares personal experiences of editing Wikipedia at late hours and the satisfaction of seeing the language grow. • Teachers are finding Wikipedia useful for delivering lessons, with the platform offering a wealth of information for assignments. • The focus should be on the commitment to the language and the potential benefits that may arise from contributions.

4. Launch of Anufo Language Wikimedians Launch of the Language Group and Initial Translation Tasks • Alidu Alhassan announces the launch of the language group and the initial translation tasks for the Wikipedia incubator. • Participants are encouraged to translate as much as they can, focusing on regions in Ghana. • The translation process involves copying and pasting content from Word or Google Docs into the Wikipedia incubator. • The goal is to get the language live on Wikipedia within a year, depending on the group's seriousness and commitment.

5. Translation and Edit-a-thon Introduction The meeting focused on setting up Wikimedia accounts and contributing content. Alhassan Mohammed Awal detailed the process of creating and logging into Wikimedia accounts, emphasizing the importance of case-sensitive usernames and passwords. They also highlighted the need to log in before editing to ensure credit for contributions. Alhassan Mohammed Awal and Peter discussed translating existing English articles into local languages and creating new articles for cultural information. They encouraged participants to contribute without worrying about perfection, as other editors can refine the content. The importance of notability in Wikipedia articles was also stressed, with a focus on notable individuals and cultural practices. The session concluded with a call to action for continued contributions and future meetings. Action Items • Alidu to record the account creation process and send it to Joseph and his colleagues. • Participants to continue translating existing content into their local language rather than creating everything from scratch. • Participants to not be discouraged by imperfections in their initial contributions and allow others to edit and improve the content over time. • Participants to continue contributing to the Wikimedia platform, as the content created will have a lasting impact. Outline Creating and Logging into Wikimedia Accounts • Alhassan Mohammed Awal explains the process of creating a Wikimedia account, emphasizing the importance of using a unique username and a secure email address. • The username must be entered exactly as created, including case sensitivity, to avoid login issues. • Alhassan Mohammed Awal advises using a strong, memorable password that is also case-sensitive. • Once the account is created, users should log in by clicking the human head icon in the upper right corner and entering their credentials. • Alhassan Mohammed Awal stresses the importance of logging in before creating or editing articles to ensure proper credit for contributions. Using Desktop Mode on Mobile Devices • Alhassan Mohammed Awal instructs users to change their mobile view to desktop mode for easier navigation and finding the username. • To switch to desktop mode, users should scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the "desktop" option. • This change makes the phone behave like a laptop, making it easier to find the username and navigate the platform. • Alhassan Mohammed Awal reiterates the importance of always using desktop mode for better user experience and functionality. Translation and Content Creation on Wikimedia • Alhassan Mohammed Awal clarifies that users can translate existing English articles into their own language without creating new content from scratch. • For information not available in English, users can create new articles based on their knowledge and cultural practices. • Alhassan Mohammed Awal encourages users to search for existing English or other language resources to translate into their language if available. • The goal is to provide accurate and comprehensive information in the users' language for global accessibility. Collaborative Editing and Article Quality • Peter emphasizes that multiple editors can contribute to an article, making it more authentic and accurate over time. • Users should not worry about perfection initially; others can correct and improve the content later. • Alhassan Mohammed Awal explains that Wikipedia is a collaborative project where edits are tracked and contributions are credited to individual usernames. • Disagreements on content can be resolved through discussion pages, leading to consensus and final edits. Notability and Content Standards on Wikipedia • Alhassan Mohammed Awal discusses the concept of notability, which requires that subjects meet certain criteria before being included on Wikipedia. • In traditional and indigenous communities, notable individuals like chiefs and directors can be featured. • Wikipedia is not a platform for personal or casual information; it requires a serious approach to content quality. • Alhassan Mohammed Awal advises users to focus on notable figures and significant cultural information to maintain Wikipedia's standards.

6. Other Matters Incorporating Bible Translations into Wikipedia • Alhassan Mohammed Awal suggests that users with Bible translations in their language can contribute these to Wikipedia. • By copying and pasting existing translations into Wikipedia, users can significantly enhance the platform's content. • Alhassan Mohammed Awal believes that a complete Bible translation could help gain approval for the users' language on Wikipedia. • The commitment to translating and contributing content is crucial for the success of the project.

7. Closing Remarks

Closing Remarks and Next Steps Final Encouragement and Next Steps • Alidu Alhassan reiterates the importance of passion and commitment to the language and the Wikipedia project. • Participants are reminded that they are pioneers in writing their language's story for future generations. • The meeting serves as the launch of the language group, with further training and support to be provided. • Participants are encouraged to reach out for assistance through WhatsApp and to start translating as soon as possible. • Peter thanks everyone for their participation and contributions, expressing hope that the discussion was beneficial. • The focus shifts to practical tasks, such as recording procedures and sending them to Joseph's colleagues. • Peter reiterates the importance of continuing efforts and learning to achieve the project's goals. • The meeting concludes with expressions of gratitude and anticipation for future progress. Encouragement and Future Plans • Peter praises the efforts of Ramatu and Joseph for their contributions and encourages them to continue their work. • The project aims to make the users' language accessible on the internet, with the potential for Google to index it. • Peter highlights the importance of commitment and learning to achieve success in the project. • Future meetings and continued support are planned to help the users progress and improve their contributions.

Anufo Language Wikimedians
(Promoting Wikimedia projects in Anufo language)
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