{"id":11444,"date":"2025-07-29T12:44:38","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T10:44:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sadilar.org\/?p=11444"},"modified":"2025-09-16T11:28:04","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T09:28:04","slug":"frequently-asked-questions-faqs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sadilar.org\/en\/frequently-asked-questions-faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What is SADiLaR?<\/summary>\n<p>SADiLaR is the South African Centre for Digital Language Resources. Funded by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and hosted at the North-West University (NWU), SADiLaR is a research centre which is part of the South African Research Infrastructure Roadmap mandated to develop and curate digital language resources. The centre also provides support, advice and research to enable and advance multilingualism in South Africa<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What does SADiLaR do?<\/summary>\n<p>SADiLaR is mandated to make language resources available and accessible through an inhouse-maintained repository. This repository allows the public and other human language technology (HLT) community members to access datasets and technologies developed internally. SADiLaR does the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>enables community of practice building for digital humanities and the human language technology community focusing on African languages (RAIL);<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>provides training on related digital humanities skills;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>facilitates knowledge production and providing\/supporting dissemination platforms;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>provides support, advice, awareness, contract research, and leadership in specific HLT fields.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Is SADiLaR\u2019s mission strictly to develop South African languages or other African languages?<\/summary>\n<p>SADiLaR Is primarily funded to support the development of official South African languages. However, this support also links more broadly to other languages as noted in the South African constitution. The infrastructure that is developed supports adaptation and inclusion of other languages, particularly those which are under-resourced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SADiLaR is open for broader engagement and co-funded \/ planned projects with other countries where there is overlap with our mandate.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Does SADiLaR offer translation services?<\/summary>\n<p>No, SADiLaR does not offer translation services.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What tools have been developed by SADiLaR for advancing the development of South African languages?&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/summary>\n<p>Primarily via specialisation projects run by SADiLaR nodes, SADiLaR funds the creation of language resources and core HLT technologies as well as open-source software and platforms. At the core lies the <a href=\"https:\/\/repo.sadilar.org\/home\">SADiLaR repository<\/a> with shared access to these datasets and technologies developed internally as well as by other HLT community members over decades.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Is SADiLaR part of the NWU?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/summary>\n<p>No, SADiLaR is hosted by the NWU as a research entity. SADiLaR has a national responsibility to develop and curate digital language resources and to enable the promotion and advancement of multilingualism in South Africa.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>How many nodes does SADiLaR have?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/summary>\n<p>SADiLaR is a multi-partner entity, with the NWU functioning as host as well as a hub for the network of linked to six nodes, comprising:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sadilar.org\/index.php\/en\/about\/sadilar-nodes\/up-node\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">University of Pretoria (Department of African Languages);<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sadilar.org\/index.php\/en\/about\/sadilar-nodes\/unisa-node\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">University of South Africa (Department of African Languages);<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sadilar.org\/index.php\/en\/about\/sadilar-nodes\/csir-node\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CSIR (HLT Research Group);<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sadilar.org\/index.php\/en\/about\/sadilar-nodes\/nwu-centre-for-text-technology-ctext\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">North-West University (Centre for Text Technology)<\/a>;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sadilar.org\/index.php\/en\/about\/sadilar-nodes\/icelda-node\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Inter-Institutional Centre for Language Development and Assessment (ICELDA)<\/a>; and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/sadilar.org\/index.php\/en\/about\/sadilar-nodes\/stellenbosch-node\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Child Language Development Node (Department of General Linguistics at Stellenbosch University)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It is foreseen that the number of nodes will increase in future as new functional nodes develop.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>How does SADiLaR differ from PanSALB?&nbsp;<\/summary>\n<p>SADiLaR is part of the South African Research Infrastructure Roadmap and has a focus on developing and curating digital language resources. A digital language resource can be data or a tool that supports the use of human languages in the digital space. The centre also provides support, advice and research to enable and advance multilingualism in South Africa. SADiLaR is in partnership with PanSALB to jointly advance the development of South Africa\u2019s languages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>PanSALB is the custodian of multilingualism with a mission to promote social cohesion and multilingualism in South Africa by creating conditions for the development and use of all South African official languages, including the Khoi, Nama and San languages, and South African Sign Language. PanSALB promotes respect and recognition for all languages, including previously marginalised languages and all other languages commonly used by South African communities. PanSALB also promotes the development of previously marginalised languages and advocates for rights relating to language and the status of language to initiate, enable, and conduct research in accordance with the PanSALB mandate.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Can SADiLaR assist with digitising old tapes and books, etc?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/summary>\n<p>Yes, SADiLaR\u2019s digitisation node in particular can support this function. However, it will be considered on a case-by-case basis. For example, not all text or audio or books are linked to the mandate. SADiLaR can assist with initial advice and in some cases, if there is scope and funding available in our editing digitisation workshop, it can be considered.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Does SADiLaR offer internships?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/summary>\n<p>SADiLaR does not currently offer internships. However, opportunities exist for supervision, ad hoc involvement with projects such as ESCALATOR, Wikipedia workshops, or via other funding initiatives such as the Presidential Youth Employment initiatives. SADiLaR is open to partnering with organisations on internship programmes.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Which projects does SADiLaR fund?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/summary>\n<p>SADiLaR funds different types of research projects such as the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Funding for specialised projects run by SADiLaR nodes, mostly linked to the digitisation programme of SADiLaR.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li> Ad hoc digital humanities and digitisation projects funded by for example open calls or possible pilot projects where there is a strong link to the mandate of SADiLaR.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li> SADiLaR is also open to collaboration and co-funding of projects.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>How long does it take to get funding for an open call project?&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/summary>\n<p>Currently in this cycle there are no open calls. The process will be revised if additional funding becomes available. Open calls are announced publicly through SADiLaR\u2019s website and other communication channels.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>How does one qualify to have a project funded by SADiLaR?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/summary>\n<p>At this stage, our open calls are closed, but information is available on our website on previous open call guidelines.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What is the relationship between SADiLaR, ESCALATOR and DH-IGNITE?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/summary>\n<p>SADiLaR currently funds <a href=\"https:\/\/sadilar.org\/en\/escalator\/\">ESCALATOR <\/a>with the aim to foster the growth of communities of practice in digital humanities and digital social sciences. The longer-term aim is that these communities take ownership and agency in the Escalator project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>DH-IGNITE is a specific regional event aimed at providing awareness about open science, digital humanities, and building local communities of practice in different South African regions. DH-IGNITE is funded and organised by the ESCALATOR team.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Does SADiLaR fund postgraduate studies?&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/summary>\n<p>SADiLaR does not fund postgraduate studies.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>How can one download datasets from the repository?<\/summary>\n<p>Datasets can be downloaded from the <a href=\"https:\/\/repo.sadilar.org\/home\">repository <\/a>in cases where it is an entry that only provides information about a specific dataset. The contact name listed in the entry can be contacted; alternatively, one can contact support@sadilar.org<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>NB. All other enquiries\/questions can be forwarded to info@sadilar.org<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NB. All other enquiries\/questions can be forwarded to info@sadilar.org<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":298,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[732],"tags":[1118],"class_list":["post-11444","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-about","tag-faqs"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sadilar.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11444","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sadilar.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sadilar.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sadilar.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/298"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sadilar.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11444"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/sadilar.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11444\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11573,"href":"https:\/\/sadilar.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11444\/revisions\/11573"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sadilar.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11444"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sadilar.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11444"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sadilar.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11444"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}