TITLE: The Evolution of the Tahitian Lexicon
AUTHORS: Ellinor Arzbaecher

[DESCRIPTION]
The purpose of this research proposal is to analyze the changes to the Tahitian lexicon over time and connect these changes to the biocultural evolution of Polynesian communities on the island of Mo'orea in French Polynesia. Tahitian has an inherently dynamic and ever-changing lexicon, particularly as it pertains to language for flora and fauna, which are identified based on utility. Shifting socio-cultural and ecological realities have influenced and continue to influence human-environment relationships on Mo'orea, impacting the Tahitian vocabulary, as well. The aim of this research is to identify such points of evolution within the language via a data curation process from historical and contemporary sources, reviewed and supplemented by academic and local community experts. 

[BEFORE_START]
Obtain all necessary permits and work visas.
Contact the Atitia Center (Te Pū 'Ātiti'a) on Mo’orea and establish a working relationship to ensure community guidance and collaboration on research project. 
Create guiding questions for research and community meetings during catalog review phase. 

[STEPS]
SECTION: COMMUNITY REVIEW &amp; RESOURCE SYNTHESIS
None. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
1. Develop a data extraction and curation plan.
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
1.1. Determine guiding review question. For this project, the review question is: what are the Tahitian words for flora and fauna?
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
1.3. Develop a search strategy. For this project, data will be collected from sources held within the University of California, University of Hawai’i, and University of French Polynesia libraries. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
1.2. Determine inclusion and exclusion criteria. For this project, the inclusion criteria are broken down into geographic area, type of publication, and language.
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
1.4. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
1.3. Develop a search strategy. For this project, data will be collected from sources held within the University of California, University of Hawai’i,  and University of French Polynesia libraries.
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
3. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
2. Create a SysRev account.
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
3. Transfer data curation plan into SysRev platform format. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
3.1. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
3.2. Use Boolian, categorical, and string labels to input inclusion and exclusion criteria. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
3.1. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
3.2. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
3.1. Use Boolean, categorical, and string labels to input inclusion and exclusion criteria.
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
5. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
4. Compile relevant documents by inputting key words into the University of California Library Search and University of Hawai’i Library website. Key words include: Tahitian, language, lexicon, and Mo’orea, but can be changed to reflect research focus.
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
4.1. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
4.2. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
4.1. The University of French Polynesia does not have an online library. Contact the institution directly and request access to materials pertinent to the research project.
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
6. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
5. Upload documents sourced from the University of California, University of Hawai’i, and the University of French Polynesia to SysRev. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
7. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
6. Review documents in SysRev using the applied labels.
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
8. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
7. Monitor SysRev’s inclusion predictor model to determine which documents contain relevant data. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
7.1. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
7.2. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
7.1. Filter documents based upon inclusion prediction value (recommended is 25) to expedite the review process by automatically excluding irrelevant documents. 
8. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
8. Transfer extracted data into a spreadsheet for further analysis.
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
10. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
9. Organize data in spreadsheet by word, date recorded, definition, and other notes. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
10. Remove duplicate words recorded within the same timeframe. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
11. Flag words from same timeframe with similar definition but different spellings. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
12. Create written catalog of Tahitian lexicon organized by definition.
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
12.1. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
12.2. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
12.1. For example, entry would provide French and English word (such as mango), then list each Tahitian word underneath with corresponding source date and notes. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
14. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
13. Upload dataset and catalog to Zenodo to make accessible and reviewable. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
2. Create a SysRev account.
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
3. Transfer data curation plan into SysRev platform format.
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
3.1. Use Boolean, categorical, and string labels to input inclusion and exclusion criteria.
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
4. Compile relevant documents by inputting key words into the University of California Library Search and University of Hawai’i Library website. Key words include: Tahitian, language, lexicon, and Mo’orea, but can be changed to reflect research focus. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
4.1. The University of French Polynesia does not have an online library. Contact the institution directly and request access to materials pertinent to the research project. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
5. Upload documents sourced from the University of California, University of Hawai’i, and the University of French Polynesia to SysRev. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
6. Review documents in SysRev using the applied labels.
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
7. Monitor SysRev’s inclusion predictor model to determine which documents contain relevant data. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
7.1. Filter documents based upon inclusion prediction value (recommended is 25) to expedite the review process by automatically excluding irrelevant documents. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
8. Transfer extracted data into a spreadsheet for further analysis.
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
9. Organize data in spreadsheet by word, date recorded, definition, and other notes. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
10. Remove duplicate words recorded within the same timeframe. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
11. Flag words from same timeframe with similar definition but different spellings. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
13. Upload dataset and catalog to Zenodo to make accessible and reviewable. 
SECTION: TAHITIAN LEXICON DATA CURATION
12. Create written catalog of Tahitian lexicon organized by definition. For example, entry would provide French and English word (such as mango), then list each Tahitian word underneath with corresponding source date and notes. 
SECTION: CATALOG REVIEW
14. Filter catalog and identify points of interest (words not recorded in the present, words with altered spellings or definitions across records, etc).
SECTION: CATALOG REVIEW
15. Compile supplemental documents on significant historical events in Mo’orea from the University of California, University of Hawai’i, and University of French Polynesia. (Adapt protocols from step 4.)
SECTION: CATALOG REVIEW
15.1. These documents can be reviewed to help identify drivers of lexicon changes but will not be the primary source of information. 
SECTION: CATALOG REVIEW
15.1. Defer to the Atitia Center’s guidance on identifying and contacting Mo’orean community members with knowledge applicable to the project. 
SECTION: CATALOG REVIEW
16. Present points of interest from catalog to research team. 
SECTION: CATALOG REVIEW
17. 
SECTION: CATALOG REVIEW
16. Develop research team of local community members and specialists in pertinent fields (i.e. Polynesian botany, ecology, linguistics, anthropology, etc). 
SECTION: CATALOG REVIEW
16.1. Defer to the Atitia Center’s guidance on identifying and contacting Mo’orean community members with knowledge applicable to the project. 
SECTION: CATALOG REVIEW
17. Present points of interest from catalog to research team. 
SECTION: CATALOG REVIEW
18. Facilitate discussion around validity of identified language changes, potential historical drivers of identified changes, word variations not reflected in catalog, etc. Refer to pre-determined set of prompts to spark conversation. 
SECTION: CATALOG REVIEW
19. Record detailed notes. 
SECTION: CATALOG REVIEW
20. Supplement catalog with information recorded during research team meetings. Tie points of interest in the catalog to any identified historical cultural or ecological drivers. 
SECTION: CATALOG REVIEW
21. Continuously update catalog on Zenodo as new versions are created. 
SECTION: CATALOG REVIEW
21.1. Maintain the catalog as a living document even after specific project has concluded. 
SECTION: CATALOG REVIEW
22. Discuss findings in a final report.