Central University of Kerala plans to establish a Centre for Linguistic Applications and Production (CLAP) in the academic year 2011-12. Besides creating, documenting and disseminating knowledge, the centre proposes to produce materials in terms of books, translations, software and courseware. The CLAP aims to apply the findings of the University’s linguistic research into material development and to train local scholars in the respective fields.

To achieve its objectives, the CLAP proposes to facilitate collaborative and interdisciplinary researches in each of its four divisions. The researches will contribute to the realization of the stated objective of the Centre. To monitor and ensure continuity and quality, CLAP proposes to regularly conduct seminars, workshops and symposia where the developments are discussed and analysed periodically. Presence of national and international experts in the field as well as potential buyers of the Centre’s products will help polish the research outcome.

The CLAP proposes to collaborate with similar departments of Indian universities and help enhancing the standard and facilitate research in its area. It can also act as a knowledge bank in its field.

Research plan for the first three years

The different wings of the CLAP will produce the following:

• Translation Translation of Malayalam classics into 12 Indian languages
• Language Technology Translators’ dictionary of Indian languages
• Language Teaching Technology Development of Courseware to teach Malayalam phonetics
• Documentation Documenting the language of Cholanaikar tribe, Wynad