Forum for Language Initiatives (FLI), a non-profit, and non-government organization, based in Islamabad has been providing training, mentorship, and capacity development to mother tongue speakers of northern Pakistan who are working for the preservation and promotion of their languages and cultures since 2002. FLI also helps its target language communities in establish mother-tongue-based multilingual education by training them in material development in their mother tongue, teaching, school management committee formation, and printing school materials. FLI also published books in and about the languages and cultures of the region, runs advocacy campaigns for the language communities, and builds bridges among the people from the language communities for knowledge sharing. FLI is registered with the government of Pakistan, Islamabad Administration, Islamabad Capital Territory. Additionally, FLI is also registered with the government of Pakistan, the Federal Board of Revenue, as a tax exempted, non-profit organization. Ultimate control and supervision of FLI’s work is the responsibility of the FLI executive board.
Android Keyboard Development for Regional Languages of North Pakistan.
The Android Keyboard Development Assignment aims to address the linguistic diversity of Northern Pakistan by developing/upgrading keyboard to all android version & PC keyboards that supports 15 regional languages such as Balti, Bateri, Burushaski, Dameli, Gawri, Gawarbati, Indus Kohistani, Khowar, Kataveri, Kalkoti, Ormori, Palula, Shina, Ushujo, Yadga. The primary focus is to establish a foundation with full support for Urdu and its related characters, serving as a standard layout. This assignment follows a phased approach, gradually integrating special characters for each regional language and customizing the keyboard layout based on community feedback.
The increasing need for digital inclusivity in the linguistically diverse Northern Pakistan region motivates the development of an Android Keyboard. The key features include comprehensive support for Urdu and a systematic approach to include and customize special characters for various regional languages. This initiative seeks to provide a user-friendly and culturally sensitive keyboard solution for Android devices, promoting digital accessibility and communication in local languages.
The scope of this assignment encompasses the following key areas:
Planning and Algorithm Design:
Development of Framework:
Urdu Integration:
Customization for the Regional Languages
Regional Languages Integration and Final Versions (days):
1. Milestone 1: Planning and Algorithm Design:
Description: Define language requirements, select development tools, and create the initial design.
2. Milestone 2: Development of Framework:
Description: Implement the Urdu keyboard layout, gather user feedback, and refine the design.
3. Milestone 3: Urdu Integration:
Description: Research special characters, integrate them into Urdu, and gather user feedback.
4. Milestone 4: Regional Languages Integration and Final Versions:
Description: Implement special characters for regional languages, optimize for Android versions, and release the final version.
Requirements:
Please provide a short technical and financial proposal to handle this project within the anticipated timeframe of Eight (8) Weeks.
Forum for Language Initiatives(FLI) is a non-govt and not for profit organization working as a resources center for the language communities of northern Pakistan. The organization is mainly involve in the capacity building of the people from language communities in documenting their own mother tongues and cultures, helping them in establishing multilingual early childhood education, publishes book about and in the languages and run advocacy for the languages communities.