In my previous post I hinted on the improvements made to Taggloo in the latest significant release. Key amongst these is the ability for users to contribute their own content to the dictionaries. One of the beauties of Manx in particular is the fascinating vocabulary, even different pronunciations and words used in communities within such a small island. By adding content and improving existing content, we can help create a living, social dictionary.
Adding content to the Taggloo dictionaries is easy. Perform your search and at the bottom of every screen is a link to “Improve this entry”.
If you’re not already logged in, you’ll be asked to log in. Remember, you don’t need to create an account. You can just use your Facebook login.
The opportunities of improving an entry are significant, as shown in the screenshot. Clicking on the tile will allow you to add improved content.
You can add a definition, a plural, pronunciation, a sound clip of the word being pronounced, a translation to another language, a phrase, mutation or a web site with relevant information. Have a look at how you could improve the dictionary:
- Add a definition: What does the word mean? This is useful for when you would like to describe the meaning of a word instead of relying on synonyms.
- Add a plural: Plurals in Manx aren’t as straight forward as in English, so you can add how the plural form is used.
- Add a pronunciation: Using phonetic syllables or the phonemic alphabet, define specifically how a word is pronounced.
- Add a sound clip: Dictionaries are great for finding formal definitions of how words are pronounced, but there’s no better way than hearing someone say it. Add a sound clip to show how the word sounds “for real”.
- Add a translation: Add a translation or synonym for the word in another of the supported languages.
- Add a phrase: “Use it in a sentence”! A great way to understand what relationship the word has with other words in a sentence or when you could use a word.
- Add a mutation: Languages sometimes mutate words for reasons of ease of speech or more technical reasons such as the context the word is used in. These rules aren’t always clear, so add a mutation to help other users.
- Share a web site: Another opportunity to help other users understand how the word is used for real. An example of a good web site example would be if the word is featured heavily in an article, for example.
You can also add a new word that’s not already in the dictionary. If no matches are returned, you’ll have an option to add the word:
Over time the dictionaries will become fortified with rich content, submitted by real users of the language. Have a look at the screenshot below for the result of searching for “thie“: