David Joffe - Resume / CV

David Joffe is co-founder, owner and CEO of TshwaneDJe. He manages the development of the TLex Dictionary Production System (used by many major publishers, including Oxford University Press and Pearson), tlTerm Terminology Management Software, tlCorpus Concordance Software, tlDatabase data editing software, and numerous websites.

Prior to co-founding TshwaneDJe, he was the lead software developer of numerous Virtual Reality simulator systems, including a flight simulator visualization system for the South African Air Force, and mining training simulators for a.o. Anglo Platinum.

He has been developing software for over 20 years, and has a BSc Computer Science (1998) degree from the University of Pretoria.

He also does Game Development.

He is also a part-time artist, and is pro-revival of the tradition of beauty and skill in art.

He also does programming livestreams (was LiveCoding, account now defunct). He primarily codes in C++ and PHP (as well as JavaScript, Lua, C# and more).

Recent work includes implementation of OpenAI GPT/ChatGPT AI API integration in TLex, tlTerm, and other TshwaneDJe applications for generative-AI-driven lexicography, terminology and other functionality, including automated AI-driven lexicography.

Main technical specialization areas: C++; PHP; Lua. 3D Graphics (Vulkan, DirectX, OpenGL). Localization. Networking (eg TCP/IP sockets). Web API Server Development. COM Office Automation. Cross-platform development (Windows + macOS + Linux). Experienced with Adobe Photoshop. C#. Lua integration. Mainly develop on Windows; have done some Linux development since ~1996, and have also done macOS C++ development. Favorite IDE: Visual Studio. Most enjoy 'putting the whole application together.'

GitHub Page: github.com/davidjoffe

Current Projects at TshwaneDJe

• TLex Lexicography Software : Project manager / lead developer
• tlTerm Terminology Editing Software : Project manager / lead developer
• tlDatabase Generic XML-based Data Editing Software : Project manager / lead developer
• tlCorpus Concordance Software : Project manager / lead developer
• tlTranslate Translation Memory [Upcoming] (Computer Assisted Translation) : Project manager
• Electronic Dictionary Publishing Framework : Project manager

• Online WAT (Woordeboek van die Afrikaanse Taal) [WAT]
• Pharos Dictionaries Online [Pharos]
• Afrikaanse Woordelys en Spelreëls [Pharos & Die Afrikaanse Taalkommissie]
• Online Lusoga Dictionary [Menha Publishers]
• Swahili – English Dictionary : Software / Editor
• Northern Sotho – English Vocabulary
• Comprehensive Monolingual Northern Sotho Dictionary (Northern Sotho National Lexicography Unit, South Africa)
• MML HAT Online [previously Pearson/Longman, now MML] - online dictionaries (including Handboek van die Afrikaanse Taal) and other content
• dictionaryq.com Online dictionaries
• tlterm.com tlTerm.com searchable terminology lists
• Stellenbosch University Language Centre multilingual terminology website, built using tlTerm and based on TLex Online
• Unisa multilingual terminology project [in development], also built using tlTerm + TLex Online
• Open Educational Resource Term Base [in development], also built using tlTerm + TLex Online

Completed Projects at TshwaneDJe

• James Randi Encyclopedia of Claims data conversion and initial technical implementation (client: JREF - James Randi Educational Foundation)

Virtual Reality / 3D Graphics Experience (inter alia at 5DT)

• Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Training Simulator Project manager / lead developer [Client: Kentron / Denel Aerospace Systems]
• Surface Mining - Haul Truck Training Simulator Project manager / lead developer [Client: Anglo Platinum]
• Surface Mining - Shovel/Excavator Training Simulator Project manager / lead developer [Client: Anglo Platinum]
• Surface Mining - Wheeled Loader Training Simulator Project manager / lead developer [Client: Anglo Platinum]
• Continuous Miner Training Simulator Responsible for maintenance and upgrades (CIL/JNA) [Client: SASOL - chemicals and fuels]
• High Voltage Line Inspection Training Simulator Project manager / lead developer [Client: Eskom - electricity utility]
• High Voltage Yard Training Simulator Responsible for development of virtual world as well as software maintenance and upgrades [Client: Eskom - electricity utility]
• Linux/UNIX DataGlove driver Ported 5DT DataGlove driver to Linux/UNIX
• 5DT SDK (Software Development Kit) Project manager / developer

Game Development (Personal Projects)

Very Small Personal GameDev Projects

Other Personal Projects and Interests

• Art In short, my philosophy on art is: I'm pro-revival of the tradition of beauty and skill in art. I do mainly oil painting, pencil drawing, charcoal.
• Personal website
• Personal blog

Publications – Refereed articles

2003

• Joffe, D., G-M de Schryver & D.J. Prinsloo. 2003. Introducing TshwaneLex – A New Computer Program for the Compilation of Dictionaries. In De Schryver, G-M (ed.). 2003. TAMA 2003 South Africa: CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS: 97–104. Pretoria: (SF)² Press.  pdf
• Joffe, D., G-M de Schryver & D.J. Prinsloo. 2003. Computational features of the dictionary application "TshwaneLex". Southern African Linguistics and Applied Language Studies 21/4 (Special issue on 'Human Language Technology in South Africa: Resources and Applications'): 239–250.  pdf

2004

• Joffe, D. & G-M de Schryver. 2004. TshwaneLex – A State-of-the-Art Dictionary Compilation Program. In Williams, G. & S. Vessier (eds.). 2004. Proceedings of the Eleventh EURALEX International Congress, EURALEX 2004, Lorient, France, July 6-10, 2004: 99–104. Lorient: Faculté des Lettres et des Sciences Humaines, Université de Bretagne Sud.  pdf
• De Schryver, G-M & D. Joffe. 2004. On How Electronic Dictionaries are Really Used. In Williams, G. & S. Vessier (eds.). 2004. Proceedings of the Eleventh EURALEX International Congress, EURALEX 2004, Lorient, France, July 6-10, 2004: 187–196. Lorient: Faculté des Lettres et des Sciences Humaines, Université de Bretagne Sud.  pdf

2005

• De Schryver, G-M & D. Joffe. 2005. One database, many dictionaries – varying co(n)text with the dictionary application TshwaneLex. In Ooi, V.B.Y., A. Pakir, I. Talib, L. Tan, P.K.W. Tan & Y.Y. Tan (eds.). 2005. Words in Asian Cultural Contexts, Proceedings of the 4th Asialex Conference, 1-3 June 2005, M Hotel, Singapore: 54–59. Singapore: Department of English Language and Literature & Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore.  pdf
• Joffe, D. & G-M de Schryver. 2005. Representing and describing words flexibly with the dictionary application TshwaneLex. In Ooi, V.B.Y., A. Pakir, I. Talib, L. Tan, P.K.W. Tan & Y.Y. Tan (eds.). 2005. Words in Asian Cultural Contexts, Proceedings of the 4th Asialex Conference, 1-3 June 2005, M Hotel, Singapore: 108–114. Singapore: Department of English Language and Literature & Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore.  pdf
• De Schryver, G-M & D. Joffe. 2005. Dynamic Metalanguage Customisation with the Dictionary Application TshwaneLex. In Kiefer, F., G. Kiss & J. Pajzs (eds.). 2005. Papers in Computational Lexicography, COMPLEX 2005: 190–199. Budapest: Linguistics Institute, Hungarian Academy of Sciences.  pdf
• De Schryver, G-M & D. Joffe. 2005. From TshwaneLex to TshwanePedia: Creating and Flexibly Maintaining Online Encyclopaedias. Lexikos 15 (AFRILEX-reeks/series 15: 2005): 306–311.  pdf
• Joffe, D. & G-M de Schryver. 2005. From TshwaneLex to TshwaneTerm: Tailoring Terminology Management for South Africa. Lexikos 15 (AFRILEX-reeks/series 15: 2005): 312–315.  pdf

2006

• De Schryver, G-M, D. Joffe, P. Joffe & S. Hillewaert. 2006. Do Dictionary Users Really Look Up Frequent Words? – On the Overestimation of the Value of Corpus-based Lexicography. Lexikos 16 (AFRILEX-reeks/series 16: 2006): 67–83.  pdf

Publications – Abstracts

• Joffe, D. & G-M de Schryver. 2004. TshwaneLex – Professional off-the-shelf lexicography software. In Third International Workshop on Dictionary Writing Systems: Program and List of Accepted Abstracts: 17–20. Brno: Faculty of Informatics, Masaryk University.  Abstract
• De Schryver, G-M & D. Joffe. 2006. Localisation in Lexicography: Three requirements. In 2nd IATIS Conference, Intervention in Translation, Interpreting and Intercultural Encounters, Programme & Abstracts: 28. Bellville: University of the Western Cape.  Abstract
• De Schryver, G-M & D. Joffe. 2007. How TshwaneLex and TshwaneTerm can assist the Documentation of Australia's Indigenous Languages. In ILC & ALS Conference Program Booklet, University of Adelaide, September 2007: 53. Adelaide: University of Adelaide.
• De Schryver, G-M & D. Joffe. 2007. Professional Lexicography Software for the Asian Languages: The TshwaneLex Suite 3.0. In Jayadevan, V. & S. Raja (eds.). 2007. Asian Lexicography: Retrospect and Prospect, Proceedings of the 5th Biennial Conference of the Asian Association for Lexicography, December 6-8, 2007: 37–38. Chennai: Tamil Lexicon Revision Project Unit, University of Madras.
• Joffe, D. 2009. TLex: Setting new standards for a global, fully-integrated e-Lexicography workbench and electronic dictionary publishing system. In eLEX 2009 Conference Booklet: eLexicography in the 21st Century: New challenges, new applications, October 2009: 109–111. Louvain-La-Neuve: Centre for English Corpus Linguistics, Université catholique de Louvain.

Publications – Popular scientific publications & Media coverage

2003 

• PanSALB News: The Official Newsletter of the Pan South African Language Board, April-June 2003, p. 7. First South African Online Dictionary: Sesotho sa Leboa – English.
• PanSALB News: The Official Newsletter of the Pan South African Language Board, April-June 2003, p. 15. About TshwaneLex.
• News24.com, 3 July 2003, 23:26. Sesotho on internet — by South African Press Association. [Reprints & Summaries: Mail & Guardian Online, ANC Daily News Briefing, allAfrica.com, Internet Solutions; The Star Online: News flashes, East Coast Radio: News in brief, Kfm 94.5]  Online
• ITWeb – The Technology News Site, 4 July 2003, 11:51. Academics at work on multilingual Web dictionary — by Stephen Whitford. [Reprints & Summaries: Africa Pulse, Balancing Act - Africa: News Update, Issue no 164, Sunday Times online: Daily IT news; Pambazuka News, An Information Service for Social Justice in Africa, iConnect Africa, ICTs at work / Les TIC en action]  Online
• SABCnews, 4 July 2003, 13:45. First online Northern Sotho-English dictionary for SA — by Steven Lang. [Summary: NewsTrove.com]  Online
• Pretoria News, 7 July 2003, p. 2. A new English-Northern Sotho dictionary — by Etienne Creux.
• SAfm, 7 July 2003, c. 7:45. Cybersurf — by Steven Lang.
• Lowveld Info, 9 July 2003. SA's first online, Sepedi dictionary — by Thandee N'wa Mhangwana. [Reprint & Summary: the Teacher; Pambazuka News, An Information Service for Social Justice in Africa]  Online
• The Star Online, 11 July 2003 & The Star, 11 July 2003, p. 6. Learn Northern Sotho for free — by Peroshni Govender.  Online
• SA Computer Magazine, 19 September 2003. SA's First Online Sepedi Dictionary — by Kelly Smith.

Conference Presentations

2023

• Generative-AI augmented and AI-automated lexicography - OpenAI GPT/ChatGPT AI integration in TLex, tlTerm, tlCorpus - presented live at 20th CODH online seminar with Prof Dr Gilles-Maurice de Schryver, Tokyo, Japan, 27 Feb 2023.

2009

• TLex: Setting new standards for a global, fully-integrated e-Lexicography workbench and electronic dictionary publishing system. eLexicography in the 21st century, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium, 22-24 October 2009.
• Smart Styles, and Other New Features in TshwaneLex Suite 4.0. 14th International Conference of the African Association for Lexicography, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa, 6-8 July 2009.

2012

• Ten Years of TshwaneLex. 17th International Conference of the African Association for Lexicography, University of Pretoria, South Africa, 2-5 July 2012.

Conference papers – Lectures

2002

• Joffe, D. Introducing a New Computer Program for Dictionary Compilation in South Africa. PanSALB Lexicography Workshop, CSIR Conference Centre, Pretoria, 7-8 October 2002.

2003

• Joffe, D., G-M de Schryver & D.J. Prinsloo. Introducing TshwaneLex – A New Computer Program for the Compilation of Dictionaries. TAMA 2003 South Africa, 6^th International 'Terminology in Advanced Management Applications' Conference, Indaba Hotel, Johannesburg, South Africa, 19-21 February 2003.
• Joffe, D. Placing SeDiPro Online and Future Plans to Empower the African Languages in the Digital Age. Mini-seminar on and launch of The First South African Online Dictionary Interface, University of Pretoria, South Africa, 20 June 2003.

2004

• Joffe, D. & G-M de Schryver. TshwaneLex – A State-of-the-Art Dictionary Compilation Program. Eleventh EURALEX International Congress on Lexicography, Université de Bretagne Sud, Lorient, France, 6-10 July 2004.
• De Schryver, G-M & D. Joffe. On How Electronic Dictionaries are Really Used. Eleventh EURALEX International Congress on Lexicography, Université de Bretagne Sud, Lorient, France, 6-10 July 2004.
• Joffe, D. & G-M de Schryver. TshwaneLex – Professional off-the-shelf lexicography software. Third International Workshop on Dictionary Writing Systems, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic, 6-7 September 2004.  Abstract

2005

• De Schryver, G-M & D. Joffe. One Database, Many Dictionaries – Varying Co(n)text with the Dictionary Application TshwaneLex. Asialex 2005 - Fourth biennial conference of the Asian Association for Lexicography, The M Hotel, Singapore, 1-3 June 2005.
• Joffe, D. & G-M de Schryver. Representing and Describing Words Flexibly with the Dictionary Application TshwaneLex. Asialex 2005 - Fourth biennial conference of the Asian Association for Lexicography, The M Hotel, Singapore, 1-3 June 2005.
• De Schryver, G-M & D. Joffe. Dynamic Metalanguage Customisation with the Dictionary Application TshwaneLex. 8^th International Conference on Computational Lexicography and Text Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary, 17-18 June 2005.
• Joffe, D. & G-M de Schryver. From TshwaneLex to TshwaneTerm: Tailoring Terminology Management for South Africa. 10^th International Conference of the African Association for Lexicography, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa, 13-15 July 2005.
• Joffe, D. Demonstration of Language Technology Applications: TshwaneLex/TshwaneTerm. Training Course on the Basic Principles of Terminology and Terminography, Birchwood Executive Hotel, Boksburg, South Africa, 26-29 September 2005.

2006

• Joffe, D. Introducing TshwaneTerm. UNESCO TermTrain Training Week, Pretoria, South Africa, 27-31 March 2006.

Conference papers accepted for presentation

• De Schryver, G-M & D. Joffe. Professional Lexicography Software for the Asian Languages: The TshwaneLex Suite 3.0. 5th Biennial Conference of the Asian Association for Lexicography, University of Madras, Chennai, India, 6-8 December 2007.

Forthcoming

• De Schryver, G-M & D. Joffe. Visions and Reality: The users and their dictionary. Symposium at the GAL Kongress 2012, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany, 18-21 September 2012. [keynote lecture: De Schryver, G-M]

Attendances – Conferences

• TAMA 2003 South Africa, 6^th International 'Terminology in Advanced Management Applications' Conference, Indaba Hotel, Johannesburg, South Africa, 19-21 February 2003. [presented 1 joint paper]  Programme
• Eleventh EURALEX International Congress on Lexicography, Université de Bretagne Sud, Lorient, France, 6-10 July 2004.  Programme
• AFRILEX 2005: 10th International Conference of the African Association for Lexicography, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa, 13-15 July 2005. [presented 1 joint paper]
• AFRILEX 2009: 14th International Conference of the African Association for Lexicography, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa, 6-8 July 2009. [presented 1 software presentation]
• eLEX 2009: eLexicography in the 21st century, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgium, 22-24 October 2009. [presented 1 software presentation]

Attendances – Consultative meetings

• Mini-seminar on and launch of The First South African Online Dictionary Interface, University of Pretoria, South Africa, 20 June 2003. [presented 1 paper]  Programme

Attendances – Tutorials

• Dictionary Writing Systems – a practical tutorial, Université de Bretagne Sud, Lorient, France, 6 July 2004 – Presented by Holger Hvelplund, Adam Kilgarriff, Mike McNamara and the IDM staff.

Memberships – Associations

• African Association for Lexicography (Afrilex), 2003 –
• The Arts Association of Bellville 2015 –
• Western Cape Artists' Society 2015 –

Trainer at training courses

• TLex Training Course, Siswati National Lexicography Unit, 2023, – Trainers: D. Joffe
• TLex Training Course, Sesotho sa Leboa National Lexicography Unit, 2023, – Trainers: D. Joffe
• TLex Training Course, isiXhosa National Lexicography Unit, 2023, – Trainers: D. Joffe
• TLex Training Course, Setswana National Lexicography Unit, 2022, – Trainers: D. Joffe
• TshwaneDJe Human Language Technology Training Course, University of Pretoria, South Africa, 3-7 November 2003 – Trainers: Gilles-Maurice de Schryver, D.J. Prinsloo & David Joffe; Participants: 10 language practitioners from the Language Services Sub-Directorate of the Department of Sport, Arts & Culture, Limpopo Province, South Africa.
• PanSALB Hands-on Computational Lexicography Workshop, University of Pretoria, South Africa, 13 November 2003 – Trainers: Gilles-Maurice de Schryver, D.J. Prinsloo, David Joffe & Paulinah Mogodi; Participants: 40 lexicographers from the eleven National Lexicography Units (NLUs), South Africa.
• TshwaneLex Training Course, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, May 2006 – Trainers: Joffe, D.; Participants: 20
• TshwaneLex Training Course, PanSALB Head Office, Pretoria, 13-15 Sep 2006 – Trainers: Joffe, D.
• TshwaneLex Training Course, Sesotho sa Leboa National Lexicography Unit, University of Limpopo (Turfloop), 4-6 Oct 2006 – Trainers: Joffe, D.
• TshwaneLex Training Course, IsiXhosa National Lexicography Unit, University of Fort Hare, 11-13 Oct 2006 – Trainers: Joffe, D.
• TshwaneLex Training Course, Tshivenda National Lexicography Unit, University of Venda, 18-20 Oct 2006 – Trainers: Joffe, D.
• TshwaneLex Training Course, Buro van die WAT (Woordeboek van die Afrikaanse Taal) (Afrikaans National Lexicography Unit), 19-23 Mar 2007 – Trainers: Joffe, D.
• TshwaneLex Training Course, Xitsonga National Lexicography Unit, 26-30 Mar 2007 – Trainers: Joffe, D.
• TshwaneTerm Training Course, South African Police Service, 1-4 Oct 2007 – Trainers: Joffe, D.
• TshwaneLex Training Course, IsiZulu National Lexicography Unit, March 2008 – Trainers: Joffe, D.
• TshwaneLex Training Course, Dictionary Unit for South African English, April 2008 – Trainers: Joffe, D.
• tlTerm Training Course, OERTB Open Educational Resource Term Bank Project, April 2015 – Trainers: Joffe, D.
• tlTerm Training Course, OERTB Open Educational Resource Term Bank Project, August 2015 – Trainers: Joffe, D.
• tlTerm Training Course, Stellenbosch University Language Centre, January 2018 – Trainers: Joffe, D.; Participants: 10
• TLex Workshop, Oxford University Press, South Africa, June 2018
• TLex Training Course, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Oct 2018 – Trainers: Joffe, D.; Participants: 20