FLEx 1

Juliet Morgan

Carolyn O'Meara

FieldWorks Language Explorer (FLEx), a software tool that creates a linguistic database for lexicographical and text data collection and analysis. It is designed to help linguists organize linguistic data, create dictionaries, analyze text materials, and study morphology. Please note that FLEx software only runs on either Windows or Linux operating systems (no, FLEx does not run on Apple operating systems). FLEx can be used with a Mac if you purchase and install Windows (or Linux) and run the operating system through Boot Camp (a program that is now standard on all Macs), something you would need to do before the workshop.

The FLEx I workshop will introduce the software and teach the basics for using FLEx. No previous experience with or knowledge of FLEx is expected. The class will create a FLEx database together and learn how a FLEx database can be used to create a dictionary (online or print) and be used to analyze texts. The FLEx I workshop particularly focuses on creating and editing the lexicon and interlinearizing texts. Before the first class, workshop participants should download and install the latest stable release of FLEx (8.3.9 or later): http://fieldworks.sil.org/download/ No other software is needed for this class. Sample data sets and handouts with links to other useful software will be provided. Participants will leave the class with a basic understanding of the program, which I hope will encourage them to further explore the many possibilities of FLEx for language documentation, description, and revitalization work.