British-Irish Council conference on promoting indigenous, minority and lesser-used languages though technology

An Roinn Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta annonche:

BIC CONFERENCE ON LANGUAGES AND TECHNOLOGY

The Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs, Joe McHugh T.D., today opened the BIC (British-Irish Council) conference on promoting indigenous, minority and lesser-used languages though technology (9 November 2015). The conference, organised by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht on behalf of BIC, will take place today and tomorrow in the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin Castle.

The conference has two aims: to explore how advances in modern technology can best support indigenous, minority and lesser-used languages; and to provide an opportunity to share best practice and experience in this area.

Welcoming over 80 delegates from Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man, Minister of State McHugh referred to the comprehensive programme laid out for the conference:

“This conference will be extremely worthwhile. Following an overview from the major technological company, Google, the focus will be placed on the digital strategies underway in some of the BIC jurisdictions and there will be discussion on the challenges facing smaller language communities. Top speakers have been secured from all the BIC jurisdictions and from the United States also. In addition, delegates will have a marvellous opportunity to discuss the latest technological advances among a very broad attendance, including academics, technologists and people who are working on the ground to promote their languages.”

Further details will be available on #BICLangTech and a paper on the conference findings will be submitted to the BIC shortly.