Digital tools and gamification in minoritised language contexts: (Un)availability, needs, and future perspectives

“RISE UP – Revitalising Languages and Safeguarding Cultural Diversity” is a HORIZON
EUROPE project that aims to empower minoritised language communities in Europe. It focuses on five selected case study languages, namely Aranese, Aromanian, Burgenland Croatian, Cornish, and Seto. This paper highlights the project’s focus on methods for language revitalisation, with a particular emphasis on digital tools and services, and relates it to the development of the RISE UP digital toolkit. It draws on ethnographic research and preliminary data (n=455) of a survey that was adapted for the five language communities and translated into over 15 languages. Research data discussed in this article includes the exploration of the digital apps and services identified for the selected languages, how survey respondents receive some digital resources, and where they identify a lack of resources. Findings across the communities are compared and potential further needs are identified. Building onto this, the RISE UP digital toolkit is introduced and showcased as a comprehensive platform for learning and practising endangered languages, integrating gamification and user-friendly interfaces. It includes language learning games, language resources, a Linguistic Risk-Taking Tracker, and a community forum for user engagement. To conclude, the need for this toolkit is discussed.