Clarissa Forbes, PhD
forbesc (at) alumni (dot) ubc.ca
I am a linguist💬 and programmer💻 working in the intersection of natural language analysis, software engineering, and data management.
My work has been centered around language technology and linguistic analysis for Indigenous language revitalization. Coming from a ten year career in academic research and fieldwork, in more recent times I have been happily involved in software development and language technology projects, and continue to support communities in their dedicated revitalization work.
I am always open to consult on Tsimshianic language matters, and am available to consult on language technology projects centering the needs of endangered language communities. Currently I do a lot of work related to keyboards, fonts, and data migration/integrity. Reach out if you have projects that would benefit from an expert in linguistics, software engineering, and/or technical writing and education!
| Date | Position |
|---|---|
| 2025- | Typotheque - Linguist & Language Technologist, INAT |
| 2024- | Linguistic Consultant & Data Specialist (Gitxsanimx̱, Sgüüx̱s) |
| 2022-24 | FPCC - FirstVoices Technology Coordinator |
| 2021-22 | FPCC - FirstVoices Technology Associate |
| 2020-21 | U of Arizona - NEH-NSF DEL Postdoctoral Fellow |
| 2018-20 | U of Arizona - SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellow |
| 2017 | U of Toronto - Course Instructor |
| Date | Degree | Â |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Â | Backend, Launch School for Web Development |
| 2018 | PhD | Linguistics, University of Toronto |
| 2015 | Â | CoLang: Institute on Collaborative Language Research, UAlaska Fairbanks |
| 2013 | MA | Linguistics, University of Toronto |
| 2012 | BA | Linguistics, Honours; University of British Columbia |
I am from Edmonds (Suquamish, Stillaguamish, Snohomish), and now live in Tucson (Tohono O’odham, Pasca Yaqui). I have benefited immensely from my time living and working in Vancouver (Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, Sto:lo) and Toronto (Huron-Wendat, Seneca, Mississaugas of the Credit).