Preserving Cameroon’s Indigenous Languages through Immersive Learning and AI Technologies: A Culturally Grounded Approach
Refined Research Question: How can immersive technologies and AI-driven tools be used to preserve and revitalize Cameroon’s indigenous languages through culturally grounded learning experiences?
Research Objectives:
To explore how immersive and AI technologies are currently used in language preservation globally and in Africa.
To identify opportunities and challenges for applying these technologies to Cameroon’s indigenous languages.
To understand community perspectives on language learning and digital tools.
To propose a culturally relevant framework for immersive language learning in Cameroon.
Brief Literature Review:
Cameroon is home to over 250 indigenous languages, many of which are endangered due to urbanization, globalization, and limited intergenerational transmission. Her linguistic diversity is among the richest in Africa, yet many indigenous languages are endangered. UNESCO and other scholars have emphasized the urgency of preserving these languages as part of intangible cultural heritage. AI technologies—such as natural language processing (NLP), speech recognition, and machine translation—are increasingly being used to support low-resource languages. Projects like Masakhane and AI4D Africa demonstrate how community-driven AI can support African languages.
Immersive technologies like VR and AR are also being used to create engaging, culturally rich language learning environments. However, most of these tools are developed in Western contexts and may not reflect the cultural realities or learning needs of Cameroonian communities. There is a clear gap in research on how these technologies can be adapted to local languages and traditions, especially in ways that are participatory and sustainable.
Proposed Research Approach and Rationale: contact@savorancetrail.com
Data Collection Methods: contact@savorancetrail.com
Expected Outcomes: contact@savorancetrail.com
Actual Outcomes: contact@savorancetrail.com
