Developing a Framework for a Minority Language-based Utility by Marco Antonio Monroy Fonseca B.S. Computer Science Instituto Tecnol6gico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey Atizapen, Mexico 1998 Submitted to the Program in Media Arts and Sciences, School of Architecture and Planning, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MEDIA TECHNOLOGY AT THE MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY June 2002 @ Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2002 All Rights Reserved I' Signature of Author Program in Media Arts and Sciences May 17, 2002 Certified by Walter Bender Senior Research Scientist MIT Media Laboratory A A Thesis Advisor Accepted by Ab Andrew B.Lippman Chairperson Departmental Committee on Graduate Students ROTCH MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY JUN 2 7 2002 LIBRARIES Developing a Framework for a Minority Language-based Utility by Marco Antonio Monroy Fonseca The following people served as readers for this thesis Reader Manuel Gendara Research Coordinator Centro de Cultura Digital Inttelmex Reader David Cavallo Principal Research Associate Future of Learning Group MIT Media Lab Developing a Framework for a Minority Language-based Utility by Marco Antonio Monroy Fonseca Submitted to the Program in Media Arts and Sciences, School of Architecture and Planning, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MEDIA TECHNOLOGY AT THE MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY June 2002 Abstract While several efforts have been carried out for connecting ethnic groups to the Internet, few of them have been executed in developing countries, where lack of connectivity infrastructure prevents access of indigenous groups online, creating a less diverse World Wide Web where only few languages are present. Based on the reversal language shift theory of Fishman, and using HDL as the technology approach, I propose a framework for deploying an online collaborative environment for enhancing the presence of minority languages on the Internet. As part of this objective, this thesis documents several steps taken for deploying a HDL web server in Oaxaca, Mexico, with the participation of two native organizations in its conception. I point out positive as well as negative aspects of the experience that occurred during the process. Thesis Supervisor: Walter Bender Senior Research Scientist, MIT Media Laboratory The author gratefully thanks the Telmex Fellows Program for its support and input into the development of this research. Dedication I dedicate this work to the memory of my abuelita Delfina Robledo, a native Hhahhu (Otoml) of the State of Mexico, who went to the Capital City seeking better life opportunities, as many indigenous people continue to do today. Thanks to her, I know more about my origins, both Indigenous and European. She has always encouraged me to do my best in my life. Que Dios la proteja por siempre... Acknowledgments Being part of the MIT Media Lab became something important in my academic and personal life. During this time I knew interesting people and projects, and I acquired new knowledge not only on technology-related topics, but also about the importance of education and social sciences in technology. It also meant a time for meeting new people, and exchange ideas with them. My readers have been a source of knowledge and guidance for the thesis. First and foremost I would like to thank my advisor Walter Bender, who has been a great support in my Master's. A part of this work was possible thanks to his assistance, as well as putting my ideas in order. Manuel Gendara also deserves much of my respect; he introduced me to wonderful people and places in Oaxaca. He also inspired me to do a thorough research on the theory and practice of the framework, and provided much of the feedback. David Cavallo provided valuable commentaries for this research, which is was also possible due to his invitation to participate in the Summer Institute in 2001. I thank the Electronic Publishing group for the discussions and brainstorming, especially my officemates: Ramesh, Jose Maria and Alex, who helped in the development of HDL. I also thank Felice Gardner and Solveig Gannon for their support: sending paperwork to Mexico, trip related things and helping me catch Walter for a meeting. Thanks Linda Peterson for believing my "abduction-for-thesis" stories... well, this is it, no more extensions. I show gratitude to my sponsor, Telmex, for provided support to the development of the project in Oaxaca. I am especially grateful to Dr. Javier Elguea, who recommended me to contact Manuel Gendara. Additionally, I give my regards to Pedro Hernendez and the Telmex Fellows who provided feedback on the project. En el lado mexicano, son muchas las personas con quien estoy profundamente agradecido; esta tesis la dedico a todos los compas de la 'Coali' y de la Uni6n de Museos que me apoyaron desde el principio en la realizaci6n del proyecto. En especial, estoy muy contento de trabajar al lado de Tere Morales, Lucina Cruz, Cuauht6moc Camarena y Alexander Brust de la UMCO, asi como de Fernando Soberanes de la Coalici6n. Gracias a Rafael Reyes y Gonzalo Peniche por facilitarnos las instalaciones del ITO, a Jeff Cohen por el acercamiento a la comunidad de Santa Ana del Valle, y a Pedro Mata Jarquin de Tututepec, Irma Sumano de Coixtlahuaca e Israel Soriano de Tequixtepec por su hospitalidad en sus respectivas comunidades. Agadezco ademes el apoyo invaluable de todos mis familiares, en especial de mi pape Marco y de mi mame Martha por todos sus ahos de dedicaci6n y apoyo en mi vida; a mi hermano Cesar por ayudarme con ideas para la investigaci6n (y por recordarme mi afici6n al anime); y a mi hermana Marthita que recien destroz6 la casa en su fiesta de mayoria de edad (es un decir). Thanks to my host parents Blossom and Ethan Hoag, who introduced me to a part of Boston and New England I would never have met in any other way. Mi agradecimiento a mis amigos en M6xico con quienes he tenido contacto constante: Manelich Castilla de Fundaci6n Telmex, Julieta Medrano y Miguel Matajaime del Tec, y mis cuates del Viaje Cultural 88 (ahora si me quedo toda la noche...). Gracias Ante por alegrarme el dia alIl en Boston. Gracias Gladys por todo tu apoyo en estos dos ahos, en lo espiritual y en lo proyecto. Te prometo que ahora si pasaremos mes tiempo juntos. Te amo. Table of Contents Chapter 1. Introduction ................................................................. 10 1.1 The purpose of this thesis ............................................................... 12 1.2 Overview of the thesis ...................................................................... 13 Chapter 2. A long way to becoming global: Indigenous nations and th e Inte rnet................................................................................... 14 2.1 An overview of minority languages....................................................... 17 2.2 Technology adoption: an opportunity or a threat for indigenous culture?.. 21 2.3 Minority Languages on the Internet: some case studies ....................... 25 2.3 .1 One ida Net ............................................................................................. 25 2.3.2 The Sami and the Internet ........................................................................ 27 2.3.3 The Living Dictionary of the Inuit .............................................................. 30 2.4 Summary.......................................................................................... 33 Chapter 3. Active Community Publishing.......................................35 3.1 The Silver Stringers project .................................................................. 36 3.1.1 Journalism as a method of understanding information .............................. 37 3.1.2 The definition of community...................................................................... 38 3.1.3 Case studies of online communities under the Silver Stringers approach ..... 39 3.2 Collaborative Software for Community Publishing ................................ 43 3.2.1 Pluto: the Silver Stingers software............................................................ 43 3.2.2 HDL: a redefinition of Pluto........................................................................ 48 3.3 Community Publishing and Language Preservation...............................51 Chapter 4. Under the guaje tree hill: Profile of the research location ... 53 4.1 Indigenous people in Mexico: A brief historic context.............................54 4.2 Profile of Oaxaca.................................................................................. 59 4.2 .1 Geog ra phy ................................................................................................ 59 4.2.2 Population and linguistic profile................................................................. 61 4.3 'Usos y costumbres': governing under native traditions ........................ 64 4.3.1 The 'Sistema de Cargos' and the 'Tequio'................................................ 65 4.3.2 The community assembly........................................................................... 67 4.4 The core questions, revisited ............................................................... 69 Chapter 5. Implementation and Evaluation of the Proposed Fram ework.................................................................................... 71 5.1 Participating Institutions ....................................................................... 71 5.1.1