Building NLP models to teach local languages in Africa

Abstract: Language is key for communicating the values, norms and beliefs of a group of people. Research has shown that a lot of indigenous languages in Africa face the risk of extinction. It has also been noted that kids are best taught their mother tongue in their formative years. It’s evident from the various research and a preliminary exploratory study carried out that there is indeed a wide gap that exists when it comes to designing technology that can support kids to learn indigenous language. As a result, in this study we attempted to bridge the existing gaps by designing a platform that can support kids in Nigeria to learn a native language. As a first step, the proposal demonstrated how a prototype developed on the concept of gamification and constructivism pedagogy gave positive results such as fun in learning language, ability to improve critical thinking. However, on further analysis we realized that the NLP tool that supports the application doesn’t produce the native language using local accent. As a result, it negatively affects the learning of our kids to correctly pronounce Yoruba language. We therefore propose a native NLP tool that can help kids correctly learn indigenous or local accents.

We propose using the Naive Bayes, which is an NLP model that gives the best accuracy, when compared with others such as Decision Tree and Random Forest Algorithm. We will incorporate the Yoruba language dataset with which we use to train the NLP model. Building the NLP pipeline step-by-step, we will integrate the app with tools that will help kids to correctly learn indigenous or local accents of the Yoruba language.

Author bios: Aderonke Busayo Sakpere holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. She is a faculty member at the University of Ibadan with about 12 years of experience in lecturing, research and mentoring. As a lecturer, she teaches both undergraduate and postgraduate students, with research interests spanning Human Computer Interaction (HCI), Data Privacy, ICT for Development. Dr Sakpere’s continued academic and research excellence has earned her various honors and awards. They include MIT Empowering The Teachers Fellowship, Selected Young Scientist by Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings, Top 200 young researcher by Heidelberg Laureate Foundation (HLF), Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI) Fellowship, among others. She is the founder of Tech Girls Club which was set up to foster networking and interaction among females in technology. She recently served as a Consultant/Research Assistant with a digital innovation company named Qhala, on a Wikimedia Foundation Project.

Makuochi Samuel Nkwo is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Research Innovation and Development Unit, University of Namibia, Windhoek. He is also a lecturer in Computer Science with over 8 years of teaching and research experience. He has done high-quality and impactful single and collaborative research works in health & wellness, teaching & learning, eCommerce & workplaces, as well as in sustainable environments. Also, he has authored and co-authored, published, and presented over 26 peer-reviewed papers in reputable journals and conferences around the world. He is currently working in the field of Responsible and Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence and Ethics.

Recorded Presentation | 27 April 2023

#NLP #MinorityLanguages #MarginalizedCommunities