1Assistant Professor, Library and Information Science, Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University, Delhi, India
2Professor, Library and Information Science, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
This study documents the development of the Online Maithili Language Thesaurus (OMLT) (www.omlt.in), which was created to fill the longstanding gap for a structured digital thesaurus in the Maithili language. A needs assessment survey was conducted across five universities in India and Nepal using purposive sampling, targeting students, researchers, faculty, and linguistic experts. Out of 210 distributed questionnaires, 100 valid responses were collected and analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings revealed a strong demand for a thesaurus aligned with international standards to support Maithili language preservation, digital search systems, and Natural Language Processing (NLP). Users prioritised features such as semantic relationships, alphabetical and hierarchical browsing, advanced search functions, export options, and training materials in Maithili. These insights informed key improvements to the thesaurus design, enhancing its usability and relevance. The study supports language preservation, academic research, and digital inclusion while strengthening the cultural and linguistic identity of the Maithili-speaking community.
Maithili thesaurus, Maithili lexicography, Needs assessment survey, OMLT, Information retrieval, India
