Language custodians¶
A language custodian is a speaker, teacher, linguist or community leader who takes responsibility for how their language is presented in Reservoir.
Why this role exists¶
Machine translation of Bantu and Khoi/San languages is often poor, and no engineer should decide how a language is written or what a term means. Custodians have authority over their language's presentation (see GOVERNANCE.md).
What custodians do¶
- Review and approve UI translations
- Maintain the reviewed glossary of plant names and key terms
- Decide orthography and dialect conventions
- Review AI-drafted translations and flag errors
- Advise on respectful treatment of ritual or sensitive vocabulary
- Help recruit speakers and knowledge holders
What custodians get¶
- Public recognition (if desired)
- A real voice in governance
- Tools designed for the job
- A route to funding for language work where grants allow
Language status¶
| Language | Custodian(s) | Status |
|---|---|---|
| isiZulu | wanted | Open |
| isiXhosa | wanted | Open |
| Afrikaans | wanted | Open |
| English (South African) | wanted | Open |
| isiNdebele | wanted | Open |
| Sesotho | wanted | Open |
| Sesotho sa Leboa (Sepedi) | wanted | Open |
| Setswana | wanted | Open |
| siSwati | wanted | Open |
| Tshivenda | wanted | Open |
| Xitsonga | wanted | Open |
| South African Sign Language | wanted (Deaf community-led) | Open |
| Khoi and San languages | wanted (community-led) | Open |
How to volunteer¶
Open the Language custodian application issue template, or introduce yourself in Discussions. You do not need to be technical.