Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/WikiSound Oral Language Documentation Bridging the Gap of Hausa Dialects (ID: 23647065)
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Applicant Details
[edit]- Main Wikimedia username. (required)
sadauki11
- Organization
N/A
- If you are a group or organization leader, board member, president, executive director, or staff member at any Wikimedia group, affiliate, or Wikimedia Foundation, you are required to self-identify and present all roles. (required)
N/A
- Describe all relevant roles with the name of the group or organization and description of the role. (required)
Main Proposal
[edit]- 1. Please state the title of your proposal. This will also be the Meta-Wiki page title.
WikiSound Oral Language Documentation Bridging the Gap of Hausa Dialects
- 2. and 3. Proposed start and end dates for the proposal.
2026-01-20 - 2026-03-15
- 4. Where will this proposal be implemented? (required)
Nigeria
- 5. Are your activities part of a Wikimedia movement campaign, project, or event? If so, please select the relevant project or campaign. (required)
Not applicable
- 6. What is the change you are trying to bring? What are the main challenges or problems you are trying to solve? Describe this change or challenges, as well as main approaches to achieve it. (required)
1. What is the change you are trying to bring?
Introduction The Hausa language is full of literature with different accents and dialects reaching almost 10 distinct dialects, dialects are crucial in learning the actual way of a language's literature.
Oral language documentation is a system of preserving the way words and sentences are structured, to pass the knowledge and the literature to another generation of people, and to preserve language and its dialects. It is a method and a systematic concept of documenting and compiling dialects of recording, analyzing, and archiving the spoken word to preserve this intangible cultural heritage. Looking at a globally significant language like Hausa in West Africa with different diversity and dialects of over 80 million speakers, this practice moves beyond the standardized practice but also towards oral speaking dialects among Hausa people. This project is working to document the oral language of the Hausa dialect in Wikimedia Commons.
The Imperative for Documenting Hausa Pronunciation: Oral documentation focused on dialect pronunciation is therefore not a nostalgic exercise, but an urgent and multidimensional necessity, so this project seek to provide a different language pronunciation of Hausa dialects focusing on five major dialects starting from Kananci, Zazzaganci, Katsinanci, Dauranci, and Sakkwatanci.t this five major Hausa dialects plays a significant role in learning Hausa language and learning their words. In the Hausa language dialects vary and other things have different words in each dialect, for example the Word eye in the Hausa dialect of Zazzaganci is “Ido” while in Sakkwatanci it is “Idaniya” which means the same thing but with different intonation and spelling. So this project is working to document different dialects by uploading 1000 words' pronunciations to Wikimedia Commons and will be used impactfully to Hausa Wikitionary for users to be able to know and understand the five major different dialects of the Hausa language.
Hausa Dialects' Impacts on Hausa Wikitionary. The impact of this oral language documentation on five major Hausa dialects is going to be an advancement of Hausa Wikitionary to the world at large, why is because a Wikitionary Guidelines Page will be created specifically for explanation about Hausa dialects in Hausa Wikipedia and Hausa Wiktionary. Also under each word five different Hausa dialects will be provided under a section specifying the word alternative in another dialect of the Hausa language. Here is to say the impact is going to be the n two ways, written and verbally, though this project is focusing mainly on the oral aspect. Below are the changes and their impact.
1. Linguistic Preservation: Dialects are living fossils of linguistic evolution. Documenting their pronunciation provides invaluable data for linguists studying language change, contact between languages, and the very structure of human speech. As urbanization and media homogenize speech patterns, these unique phonetic signatures are at risk of erosion or extinction, making their preservation a race against time.
2. Cultural Safeguarding: Pronunciation is inextricably linked to cultural identity. The way a word is spoken among the people of Katsina known as Kastinanci dialects evoke a specific historical context, a social nuance, or a cultural practice. By documenting the oral dialects of each tribe of Hausa each we indeed safeguard not just words in particular, but also the cultural knowledge and worldviews embedded within their sounds.
In conclusion, oral language documentation of five distinctive Hausa dialects is an important endeavor that will shift the focus from a unified script to a diverse soundscape. Also, an act of preserving the oral language of the Hausa Language for future generations, empowering marginalized speaker communities, and enriching our global understanding of one of Africa's most influential languages. By capturing the dialects' pronunciations of Hausa's dialects, we ensure that the language's vibrant and multifaceted voice continues to be heard among the Hausa community in its entirety, both today, tomorrow, and in the future.
The change we seek to bring
· Linguistic Inclusivity: To move from a single, standardized Hausa to a rich, multi-dialectal representation. We will introduce high-quality audio recordings of at least five major Hausa dialects (e.g., Sakkwatanci, Katsinanci, Zazzaganci, Arewanci, Gudduranci) into the commons of free knowledge. · Aural Knowledge Access: To shift from a purely textual to a multi-sensory (aural) learning experience. By embedding these audio files into Wikipedia articles and Wiktionary entries, we will make knowledge more accessible to semi-literate populations, visual learners, and those who rely on oral traditions, thereby bridging the digital divide within the Hausa community itself.
Ultimately, the change is to preserve linguistic heritage, promote digital equity, and ensure that the global Wikimedia community experiences the true diversity and vibrancy of the Hausa language and its people.
2. What are the problems you are trying to solve?
The current situation on Wikimedia projects for the Hausa language presents several critical problems looking at Hausa dialects from this perspective when Hausa Dialects are concerned. The problem we are trying to solve is simple; we are trying to create a distinctive Hausa language dialect pronunciation for words to document in Hausa Wikipedia and Hausa Wikitionary. The problem is to prevent the misunderstanding of different dialects' pronunciation among Hausa words, which are misused inappropriately among Hausa-speaking languages, thereby affecting the Hausa dialect sentence syntax.
- 7. What are the planned activities? (required) Please provide a list of main activities. You can also add a link to the public page for your project where details about your project can be found. Alternatively, you can upload a timeline document. When the activities include partnerships, include details about your partners and planned partnerships.
The following are the planned activities for the oral language documentation.
1- Native engagement: On each Hausa dialect tribe we will engage native speakers, linguists, and cultural leaders from each target dialect region (Sokoto, Kano, Katsina, Zaria, and Daura) at least 3 native speakers from each tribe, to guide the project based on their dialect, we will document the inputs derived from each tribe. On audio. · Create a Phonetic Wordlist: Collaboratively develop a standardized list of 200-300 words.
Phase 2: Audio Recording and Curation · Conduct a training and workshops "Sound-creation" using tools in the studio and on Workshops: we would organize physical and virtual workshops, We will train local volunteers from the Hausa community on the ethics of recording, obtaining proper free licenses (Creative Commons), and using basic, high-quality recording equipment (e.g., portable audio recorders and smartphones with external mics). · High-Quality Recordings: Record multiple native speakers (balanced for gender and age where possible) for each dialect, reading from the phonetic wordlist and contributing spontaneous speech samples. · Quality Control: A team of audio editors and linguists will review, clean, and normalize the audio files to ensure consistency and clarity.
Phase 3: Upload, Categorization, and Integration
· Systematic Upload to Wikimedia Commons: All curated audio files will be uploaded to Wikimedia Commons under a clear and open license (CC BY-SA 4.0). · Detailed Categorization: Each file will be meticulously categorized using a structured taxonomy (e.g., Category: Audio files of Hausa language, Category: Sakkwatanci pronunciation, File: Ruwa-(Sakkwatanci).oga). · Integration into Sister Projects:
· Wiktionary: Embed dialectal audio files into the pronunciation sections of relevant Hausa word entries. · Wikipedia: Add audio files to the articles of major cities, towns, and cultural concepts, allowing users to hear the local pronunciation (e.g., the Katsina Wikipedia page would have an audio clip of "Katsina" pronounced in Katsinanci).
· Measure Impact: Track metrics such as the number of audio files used across projects, page views on integrated articles, and feedback from the community via surveys and discussion pages.
By following this approach, we intend not only to solve the identified problems above, but also to empower the Hausa community at large on the importance of the Hausa dialect when contributing, to become active curators of their own linguistic dialects in the Wikimedia ecosystem.
What do you hope to learn from your work in this project or proposal? (required)
We hope to see Hausa Wikipedia guidelines pages created to assist and guide editors on how to contribute. We are excited to see how brave Hausa Wikitionary editors will be as they compete for incredible prizes. Through participation in this contest, we hope to learn and provide analysis on the rapid growth of Hausa Wiktionary by providing a statistical report using Wikimedia Xtools. We are looking forward to creating an overall experience, understanding, and statistical report that will be shared on the Wikimedia diff blog post.
- 8. Describe your team. Please provide their roles, Wikimedia Usernames and other details. (required) Include more details of the team, including their roles, usernames, Wikimedia group, and whether they are salaried, volunteers, consultants/contractors, etc. Team members involved in the grant application need to be aware of their involvement in the project.
I User:Sadauki11 known as Abubakar M Nasir, will lead this project as a team leader with the help of two Hausa language linguistic experts from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, in person of Dr. Hahaha Bello and Dr. Idris Y Yakubu. Also with the help of another local native language linguistic from Gidan Makama of Hausa Language Research and Oral Documentation.
- 9. Who are the target participants and from which community? How will you engage participants before and during the activities? How will you follow up with participants after the activities? (required)
Who are the target participants and from which community?
The target participants are members of the Hausa Wikimedia community and native Hausa speakers across Northern Nigeria. Specifically, the project will engage:
Hausa Wikimedia editors and volunteers interested in language and oral culture.
University students from departments of Linguistics, Hausa, and African Languages.
Local storytellers, poets, and elders who are fluent in regional dialects.
Community radio presenters and youth groups passionate about preserving Hausa heritage.
These participants represent both urban and rural Hausa-speaking communities, ensuring diversity in dialectal representation.
How will you engage participants before and during the activities?
Before the activities:
Conduct outreach through Hausa Wikimedia groups, social media platforms (WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook), and local university clubs.
Share an open call for participation explaining the goals of the WikiSound Hausa project.
Hold introductory virtual sessions (via Zoom or Telegram) to brief potential participants on Wikimedia’s mission, open licenses, and audio documentation ethics.
During the activities:
Organize hands-on workshops to train participants in recording, annotating, and uploading audio samples to Wikimedia Commons and WikiSound.
Pair experienced Wikimedians with new contributors for mentorship.
Conduct field recording sessions in selected regions (Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, Zaria) to capture dialectal diversity.
Maintain constant engagement through a Telegram group for sharing updates, questions, and support.
How will you follow up with participants after the activities?
Establish a WikiSound Hausa Taskforce to continue collecting and uploading dialectal audio beyond the project period.
Create a mentorship program linking active contributors to Wikimedia Nigeria User Group and other African language communities.
Encourage participants to document their experiences and share learnings through Meta-Wiki reports and Diff blog posts.
Organize periodic check-ins and online meetups to review contributions, offer support, and sustain participation.
Recognize outstanding contributors through certificates and community spotlights, motivating long-term engagement.
- 10. Does your project involve work with children or youth? (required)
No
- 10.1. Please provide a link to your Youth Safety Policy. (required) If the proposal indicates direct contact with children or youth, you are required to outline compliance with international and local laws for working with children and youth, and provide a youth safety policy aligned with these laws. Read more here.
N/A
- 11. How did you discuss the idea of your project with your community members and/or any relevant groups? Please describe steps taken and provide links to any on-wiki community discussion(s) about the proposal. (required) You need to inform the community and/or group, discuss the project with them, and involve them in planning this proposal. You also need to align the activities with other projects happening in the planned area of implementation to ensure collaboration within the community.
Community Discussion and Involvement
The idea for the WikiSound Oral Language Documentation: Bridging the Gap of Hausa Dialects project was discussed with members of the Hausa Wikimedia Community and the Wikimedia User Group Nigeria. Initial conversations began during informal community meetups and on Telegram and WhatsApp groups used by Hausa Wikimedians. Feedback from these discussions helped shape the project goals and ensure alignment with Wikimedia’s focus on free knowledge and African language representation.
Community members expressed strong interest in contributing to Hausa language documentation, especially through oral and audio-based projects. Several volunteers and linguists also highlighted the need to represent different dialects of Hausa on Wikimedia Commons, Wiktionary, and Wikidata.
- 12. Does your proposal aim to work to bridge any of the content knowledge gaps (Knowledge Inequity)? Select one option that most apply to your work. (required)
Language
- 13. Does your proposal include any of these areas or thematic focus? Select one option that most applies to your work. (required)
Not applicable
- 14. Will your work focus on involving participants from any underrepresented communities? Select one option that most apply to your work. (required)
Linguistic / Language
- 15. In what ways do you think your proposal most contributes to the Movement Strategy 2030 recommendations. Select one that most applies. (required)
Identify Topics for Impact
Learning and metrics
[edit]- 17. What do you hope to learn from your work in this project or proposal? (required)
What We Hope to Learn from This Project
Through this project, we aim not only to document Hausa dialects but also to understand how community-driven oral documentation can strengthen linguistic representation on Wikimedia platforms. The learning will focus on the effectiveness of community engagement, technical workflows, and long-term sustainability of language documentation efforts.
Key Learning Questions
1. Community Participation & Motivation
What motivates Hausa speakers and Wikimedians to participate in oral language documentation projects?
Which engagement methods (online calls, workshops, or field sessions) are most effective in sustaining participation?
2. Technical and Logistical Learning
What are the most practical and accessible tools for high-quality audio recording and uploading in low-resource settings?
How can we simplify metadata tagging and licensing processes for new contributors?
3. Impact on Wikimedia Projects
How does adding oral and dialectal content improve Hausa representation on Wikimedia Commons, Wikidata, and Wiktionary?
What challenges arise in integrating local dialects into Wikimedia platforms designed for standardized languages?
4. Sustainability and Knowledge Sharing
How can the WikiSound Hausa Taskforce maintain activity and inspire similar projects for other African languages?
What lessons can be documented and shared to guide future oral language initiatives in the Wikimedia movement?
Intended Learning Outcome
By answering these questions, we hope to produce a replicable model for oral language documentation that can be applied to other underrepresented African languages, strengthening Wikimedia’s linguistic diversity and inclusivity.
- 18. What are your Wikimedia project targets in numbers (metrics)? (required)
| Other Metrics | Target | Optional description |
|---|---|---|
| Number of participants | 15 | 15 new users |
| Number of editors | 15 | 15 new editors |
| Number of organizers | 4 |
| Wikimedia project | Number of content created or improved |
|---|---|
| Wikipedia | 100 |
| Wikimedia Commons | 600 |
| Wikidata | |
| Wiktionary | |
| Wikisource | |
| Wikimedia Incubator | |
| Translatewiki | |
| MediaWiki | |
| Wikiquote | |
| Wikivoyage | |
| Wikibooks | |
| Wikiversity | |
| Wikinews | |
| Wikispecies | |
| Wikifunctions or Abstract Wikipedia |
- Optional description for content contributions.
N/A
- 19. Do you have any other project targets in numbers (metrics)? (optional)
Yes
| Main Open Metrics | Description | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Contributions | Number of edits to be made on both Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
- 20. What tools would you use to measure each metrics? Please refer to the guide for a list of tools. You can also write that you are not sure and need support. (required)
- WMF Dashboard
- Glamorous Tool
- WMF Hashtag
Financial proposal
[edit]- 21. Please upload your budget for this proposal or indicate the link to it. (required)
- 22. and 22.1. What is the amount you are requesting for this proposal? Please provide the amount in your local currency. (required)
4344000 NGN
- 22.2. Convert the amount requested into USD using the Oanda converter. This is done only to help you assess the USD equivalent of the requested amount. Your request should be between 500 - 5,000 USD.
2986.46 USD
- We/I have read the Application Privacy Statement, WMF Friendly Space Policy and Universal Code of Conduct.
Yes
Endorsements and Feedback
[edit]Please add endorsements and feedback to the grant discussion page only. Endorsements added here will be removed automatically.
Community members are invited to share meaningful feedback on the proposal and include reasons why they endorse the proposal. Consider the following:
- Stating why the proposal is important for the communities involved and why they think the strategies chosen will achieve the results that are expected.
- Highlighting any aspects they think are particularly well developed: for instance, the strategies and activities proposed, the levels of community engagement, outreach to underrepresented groups, addressing knowledge gaps, partnerships, the overall budget and learning and evaluation section of the proposal, etc.
- Highlighting if the proposal focuses on any interesting research, learning or innovation, etc. Also if it builds on learning from past proposals developed by the individual or organization, or other Wikimedia communities.
- Analyzing if the proposal is going to contribute in any way to important developments around specific Wikimedia projects or Movement Strategy.
- Analysing if the proposal is coherent in terms of the objectives, strategies, budget, and expected results (metrics).