Using virtual reality for linguistic fieldwork

Author(s):
Gonzalez Gonzalez, P. (0000-0002-8352-8649); Wal, G.J. van der (0000-0003-1136-5884); Berruti, C.; Doorn, V.T. van; Morozova, I. (0009-0001-3521-205X); Raesfeld Meyer, J.M.M. von; Vorisek, T.J.
Published
2024
Publication type
Article / Letter to editor

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.

Supported by a Small Grant of Leiden University Centre for Digital Humanities

Virtual RealityLinguistic fieldwork360° video stimuli
Date issued
2024
Language
English
Is part of
Semantic Fieldwork Methods (2024), No. 1
hdl
1887/4054873
doi
10.14288/sfm.v6i1.197803
URL
https://ojs.library.ubc.ca/index.php/storyboards/article/view/197803