Technology, Workflow Design, and Community‑Led Lexicography.
The Tunica Dictionary App is a central resource in the revitalization of the once-sleeping Tunica language, providing speakers and language learners with a modern, accessible, and community‑guided dictionary across iOS, Android, and the web.
Collaborative work on this project spans the full lifecycle of the dictionary—from designing the technical infrastructure to coordinating linguistic decisions with Tunica teachers. As documented in my book, Revitalization Lexicography, this project represents a deep collaboration between technology and community.
Designing the Workflow and Selecting the Platform
I began by designing the full workflow that would support the creation, editing, and publication of the Tunica Dictionary App. This included:
- Selecting the technology stack that could support a multilingual dictionary with audio, example sentences, and frequent updates.
- Designing a sustainable workflow that allowed community members to contribute content while maintaining data integrity and consistency.
- Training community member on how to use the tools, update entries, and manage the editorial process.
This foundation ensured that the dictionary could grow and evolve under community leadership, not just technical oversight.
Community‑Centered Lexicography and Editorial Coordination
As described in Revitalization Technology, my role extended far beyond technical implementation. I worked closely with Tunica teachers and language learners to shape the content and structure of the dictionary.
Key responsibilities included:
- Holding neologism workshops to collaboratively develop new Tunica words for modern concepts, grounding each decision in cultural and linguistic principles.
- Coordinating a team of editors who vetted example sentences for accuracy, clarity, and cultural appropriateness.
- Vetting and refining example sentences to ensure they reflected authentic Tunica usage.
- Proposing the dictionary’s format and layout, including headword conventions, glossing decisions, and entry structure.
- Submitting all major decisions—from neologisms to formatting—to Tunica teachers for final approval, ensuring the dictionary remained community‑owned and community‑guided.
This work ensured that the Tunica Dictionary App reflects not only linguistic accuracy but also cultural authority and community consensus.
Maintaining and Updating the Tunica Dictionary App
Once the dictionary was launched, I continued to serve as the technical steward responsible for keeping the app secure, functional, and aligned with the latest language decisions.
My ongoing responsibilities include:
- Updating all mobile versions of the app (iOS and Android) with new entries, neologisms, and editorial decisions from the Tunica Working Group.
- Performing twice‑annual security updates, including upgrading to the latest Android API/SDK and iOS SDK versions to ensure long‑term stability and user safety.
- Ensuring compliance with Apple App Store and Google Play Store requirements, including metadata updates, build configuration, and adherence to evolving platform policies.
- Investigating and fixing bugs introduced by new OS versions, SDK changes, or content updates to maintain a smooth user experience.
Through this work, the Tunica Dictionary App remains a living, evolving resource that grows alongside the community’s language revitalization efforts.
A Sustainable, Community‑Driven Dictionary
By combining technical leadership, workflow design, and community‑centered lexicography, I helped build a dictionary app that is both technologically robust and deeply rooted in Tunica cultural authority. The result is a sustainable, community‑owned tool that supports language learning, documentation, and revitalization for generations to come.
