Sterling Martin, a former grad student studying C. elegans worms, now contributes to a Navajo-English dictionary of science terms. The podcast explores Project ENABLE, its origins, and the lack of Navajo words in science. It also discusses the impact of language on scientific understanding, choosing a website platform for the project, and the importance of embracing identity and preserving language.
Project ENABLE aims to create a Navajo-English dictionary of science terms to facilitate biology education in the Navajo community.
Enablenavaho.org offers a user-friendly platform for accessing the Navajo science lexicon, with features designed to accommodate areas with limited technology access.
Deep dives
Project Enable: Creating Science Words in the Navajo Language
Project Enable, led by Stirling Martin, aims to create science words in the Navajo language to facilitate biology education. The project was born out of a desire to give back to the Navajo community and address the lack of Navajo scientific terms. By developing a bilingual lexicon of science terms, Project Enable enables non-scientists in the Navajo community to engage with and understand biology. The project focuses on selecting high-priority words, consulting with Navajo teachers, and ensuring accurate translations and contextually meaningful definitions. The initiative has garnered positive responses, with individuals expressing increased interest in science and a stronger sense of cultural identity.
Online Accessibility and Low Data Usage
Enablenavaho.org offers a user-friendly and accessible platform for accessing the Navajo science lexicon. It was designed to accommodate areas with low internet service and limited access to technology. The website allows for minimal data usage by loading words incrementally and utilizing caching techniques. Additionally, a Navajo keyboard and a conversion tool were developed to overcome font compatibility issues, providing a comprehensive solution for Navajo typing and reading.
Impact and Future Directions
Project Enable has already shown promising results in facilitating scientific communication and education in the Navajo community. The project plans to measure its impact through data collection and evaluation. Furthermore, future initiatives involve creating illustrations for the science words to enhance visual understanding. The collaborative nature of the project, involving multiple generations and linguistic experts, has contributed to its success in bridging the gap between Navajo culture and scientific knowledge.
Sterling Martin was in grad school, studying C. elegans worms, when COVID19 hit and suddenly he found himself in lexicography, as part of a team creating a Navajo-English dictionary of science terms.
Browse the dictionary at EnableNavajo.org, and donate to help the project add more educational materials at navajobiology.square.site.
Find out more about this episode and the topics therein, and obtain the transcript, at theallusionist.org/projectenable.
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