A Python algorithm for creating dictionaries in African languages

An important concept in writing computational algorithms in the context of African languages is localization. Localization entails taking the existing HLT algorithms and modifying (or localizing) them for the identified African languages. Griesel and Bosch (2014: 151) state that “…very few core technologies exist for the resource scarce African languages;” therefore adapting the existing human language technologies for African languages becomes necessary and justifiable. In fact the existing HLTs could be used to inform and determine the kind of linguistic research that needs to be done for the African languages. In this sense one can speak of ‘HLT driven research in African linguistics.’ Since the proposed dictionary algorithm in this book is template-based it can then be localized in other African languages that follow the Unicode writing convention.