Role of Language in Transfer of Tacit Knowledge: Case Study of Bamboo Crafts Making Industries in Northeast India

Conference paper
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Abstract

The role of the computers has become vital in most of the industries. It is due to the fact that most of the jobs which require manual editing, drafting, designing and modeling have been easily done with the help of the computers. Slowly the shifts have been seen from traditional manual methods to modern-day technological advance computer systems. In this shift the traditional knowledge of the practitioner is getting lost. This can be seen in variety of industries like craft, jewelry, art and agriculture. The people engaged in these industries are seeking certain alternative ways to achieve this traditional knowledge. Previously this traditional knowledge was achieved by practicing with the master which is now achieved using modern technologies and computers. Capturing this tacit knowledge has been one of the major objectives of this ongoing work. The transfer of knowledge from the master craftsmen to the learner takes place with several days of practice. Natural language plays an important part during this transfer. The methods of communication between the craftsman and the apprenticeship occurs both verbally and practically while making the craft. This paper studies the importance of natural language while acquiring the skills by the learner from the master. This paper also tries to find a solution which can be implemented when there is a transfer of the tacit knowledge with language as a barrier. In the case study the language known to the master craftsman is different from that of the learners. The case study deals with one of the widely spoken language in India to the local languages in northeast India.

Keywords

Tacit knowledge Crafts Linguistics Knowledge management Usability 
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Notes

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the master craftsman and the participants involved during the study.

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Copyright information

© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2018

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Usability Engineering and Human Computer Interaction Lab, Department of DesignIndian Institute of Technology GuwahatiGuwahatiIndia

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