Using virtual reality for linguistic fieldwork

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/sfm.v6i1.197803

Keywords:

Virual Reality, linguistic fieldwork, 360° video stimuli

Abstract

This paper reports on the use of Virtual Reality (VR) technology for linguistic data collection. Traditional verbal and 2D visual stimuli can be quite restricted in the context they provide, but thanks to VR technology, we can now get much closer to a full and natural context if we present speakers with a 360° vivid environment; one in which the linguistic factors to be studied are carefully controlled. We piloted VR technology for fieldwork by creating 360° videos, and tested these to study past tense in Spanish, and the interaction of focus and evidentiality in Xitsonga/Xichangana. We provide a detailed report of this proof-of-concept project, documenting all steps in the process.

Author Biographies

Paz González, Leiden University Centre for Linguistics

Paz González (Ph.D., Utrecht University, The Netherlands) is Researcher and Lecturer at Leiden University (The Netherlands). She is a member of the Leiden University Centre for Linguistics and editor of DuJAL (Dutch Journal of Applied Linguistics). Her research interests are mainly second language acquisition and language variation, viewed from a cross linguistic (micro and macro) perspective. She has published in journals such as Modern Language Journal, International Review of Applied Linguistics, Spanish in Context and Isogloss.

Jenneke van der Wal, Leiden University Centre for Linguistics

Jenneke van der Wal is a Senior Lecturer at the Leiden University Centre for Linguistics. She obtained her PhD degree at the same institute in 2009, and has since worked on grammaticalization at the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Belgium, investigated comparative syntax and parameter hierarchies at the University of Cambridge, and taught at Harvard University. Her research combines gathering new data from various Bantu languages with developing theories on the interface between syntax and information structure.

Claudia Berruti, Leiden University

(to be added)

V. T. van Doorn, Leiden University

V.T. van Doorn is a student assistant at the Information Management and Facilities Department of the University of Leiden, where they are tasked with creating video projects. V.T. is currently finishing a BA Film and Literary studies at the University of Leiden.

Irina Morozova, Leiden University

Irina Morozova is a ResMA student at Leiden University. She is specialising in theoretical linguistics, being mostly interested in comparative syntax, exo-skeletal approaches to syntax, syntax-semantics interface, morphosyntax of numerals, expression of time and space. She holds BA in Linguistics and BA in Literary Studies (Humanities Honours Programme) from Utrecht University.

Jai von Raesfeld Meyer, Leiden University

Jai von Raesfeld Meyer is a BA student Latin American Studies at Leiden University. During the program she focused on (socio)linguistics within the Spanish language. She wrote her thesis about the use of inclusive language in Spanish among students at the National University of Córdoba, Argentina. At the moment, she is preparing to enroll in the MA program in Translation next semester at the same institute.

Thomas Vorisek, Leiden University

Thomas Vorisek is the video coordinator of the faculty of Humanities at Leiden University. His work entails the production and support of media content for education and research, the coordination of livestreams, piloting media tools and providing workshops. He has a master’s degree in Film & Photographic Studies.

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Published

2024-03-27

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 1 (2024): Vol. 6 No. 1 (2024): Gonzalez, Paz, Jenneke van der Wal, Claudia Berruti, V.T. van Doorn, Irina Morozova, Jai von Raesfeld Meyer, Thomas Vorisek: Using Virtual Reality for Linguistic Fieldwork

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Paz González, Jenneke van der Wal, Claudia Berruti, V. T. van Doorn, Irina Morozova, Jai von Raesfeld Meyer, Thomas Vorisek

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