World Atlas of Language Structures
Encyclopedia
The World Atlas of Language Structures is a database
of structural (phonological, grammatical, lexical
) properties of languages gathered from descriptive materials. It was first published by Oxford University Press
as a book with CD-ROM
in 2005, and was released as the second edition on the Internet
in April 2008. It is maintained by the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
and by the Max Planck Digital Library. The editors are Martin Haspelmath
, Matthew S. Dryer, David Gil and Bernard Comrie
.
The atlas provides information on the location, linguistic affiliation and basic typological features of a great number of the world's languages. It interacts with Google Maps
. The information of the atlas is published under a Creative Commons
license.
Database
A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
of structural (phonological, grammatical, lexical
Lexical (semiotics)
In the lexicon of a language, lexical words or nouns refer to things. These words fall into three main classes:*proper nouns refer exclusively to the place, object or person named, i.e...
) properties of languages gathered from descriptive materials. It was first published by Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
as a book with CD-ROM
CD-ROM
A CD-ROM is a pre-pressed compact disc that contains data accessible to, but not writable by, a computer for data storage and music playback. The 1985 “Yellow Book” standard developed by Sony and Philips adapted the format to hold any form of binary data....
in 2005, and was released as the second edition on the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
in April 2008. It is maintained by the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
The Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology is a research institute based in Leipzig, Germany, founded in 1997. It is part of the Max Planck Society network....
and by the Max Planck Digital Library. The editors are Martin Haspelmath
Martin Haspelmath
Prof. Dr. Martin Haspelmath is a German linguist working in the field of linguistic typology. He is one of the editors of the World Atlas of Language Structures, and has worked on the Standard Average European sprachbund. Besides typology, his research interests include syntactic and morphological...
, Matthew S. Dryer, David Gil and Bernard Comrie
Bernard Comrie
Bernard Comrie is a British-born linguist. Comrie is a specialist in linguistic typology and linguistic universals, and on Caucasian languages....
.
The atlas provides information on the location, linguistic affiliation and basic typological features of a great number of the world's languages. It interacts with Google Maps
Google Maps
Google Maps is a web mapping service application and technology provided by Google, free , that powers many map-based services, including the Google Maps website, Google Ride Finder, Google Transit, and maps embedded on third-party websites via the Google Maps API...
. The information of the atlas is published under a Creative Commons
Creative Commons
Creative Commons is a non-profit organization headquartered in Mountain View, California, United States devoted to expanding the range of creative works available for others to build upon legally and to share. The organization has released several copyright-licenses known as Creative Commons...
license.