Glottolog

Glottolog
ProducerMax Planck Institute for the Science of Human History (Germany)
LanguagesEnglish
Access
CostFree
Coverage
DisciplinesLinguistics
Links
Websiteglottolog.org

Glottolog is an open-access online bibliographic database of the world's languages. In addition to listing linguistic materials (grammars, articles, dictionaries) describing individual languages, the database also contains the most up-to-date language affiliations based on the work of expert linguists.

Glottolog was first developed and maintained at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, and between 2015 and 2020 at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Jena, Germany. Its main curators include Harald Hammarström and Martin Haspelmath.

Overview

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Sebastian Nordhoff and Harald Hammarström established the Glottolog/Langdoc project in 2011.[1][2] The creation of Glottolog was partly motivated by the lack of a comprehensive language bibliography, especially in Ethnologue.[3]

Glottolog provides a catalogue of the world's languages and language families and a bibliography on individual languages. It differs from Ethnologue in several respects:

  • It includes only those languages that the editors have been able to confirm both exist and are distinct. Varieties that have not been confirmed, but are inherited from another source, are tagged as "spurious" or "unattested".[note 1]
  • It attempts only to classify languages into families demonstrated to be valid groupings based on research by linguists specializing in them.
  • Comprehensive bibliographic information is provided, especially for lesser-known or underdescribed languages.
  • To a limited extent, alternative names are listed according to the sources that use them.
  • Apart from a single point-location on a map at its geographic centre, no ethnographic or demographic information is provided.

Language names used in the bibliographic entries are identified by ISO 639-3 code or Glottolog's own code (Glottocode). External links are provided to ISO, Ethnologue and other online language databases

The latest version is 5.0, released under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License in 2024.

It is part of the Cross-Linguistic Linked Data project hosted by the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History.[4]

Language families

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Glottolog is more conservative in its classification than other databases in establishing membership of languages and families given its strict criteria for postulating larger groupings. On the other hand, the database is more permissive in terms of considering unclassified languages as isolates. Edition 4.8 lists 421 spoken language[note 2] families and isolates as follows:[5]

List of Glottolog genealogical families
Name Region[note 3] Languages
Atlantic-Congo Africa 1,410
Austronesian Africa, Eurasia, Oceania, South America 1,272
Indo-European Africa, Australia, Eurasia, North America, Oceania, South America 585
Sino-Tibetan Eurasia 506
Afro-Asiatic Africa, Eurasia 382
Nuclear Trans New Guinea Oceania 317
Pama-Nyungan Australia, Oceania 250
Otomanguean North America 181
Austroasiatic Eurasia 158
Tai-Kadai Eurasia 96
Dravidian Eurasia 82
Arawakan North America, South America 77
Mande Africa 75
Tupian South America 70
Uto-Aztecan North America 68
Central Sudanic Africa 63
Nilotic Africa 56
Nuclear Torricelli Oceania 55
Uralic Eurasia 49
Algic North America 47
Athabaskan-Eyak-Tlingit North America 46
Pano-Tacanan South America 45
Quechuan South America 43
Turkic Eurasia 43
Cariban South America 42
Hmong-Mien Eurasia 42
Kru Africa 38
Nakh-Daghestanian Eurasia 36
Sepik Oceania 36
Mayan North America 34
Lower Sepik-Ramu Oceania 30
Nuclear-Macro-Je South America 29
Chibchan North America, South America 27
Tucanoan South America 26
Salishan North America 25
Timor-Alor-Pantar Oceania 23
Dogon Africa 20
Lakes Plain Oceania 20
Mixe-Zoque North America 19
Ta-Ne-Omotic Africa 19
Yam Oceania 19
Siouan North America 18
Anim Oceania 17
Japonic Eurasia, Oceania 17
Mongolic-Khitan Eurasia 17
Border Oceania 15
North Halmahera Oceania 15
Tungusic Eurasia 15
Khoe-Kwadi Africa 14
Angan Oceania 13
Eskimo-Aleut Eurasia, North America 13
Miwok-Costanoan North America 13
Ndu Oceania 13
Nubian Africa 13
Tor-Orya Oceania 13
Totonacan North America 13
Chapacuran South America 12
Gunwinyguan Australia 12
Cochimi-Yuman North America 11
Iroquoian North America 11
Sko Oceania 11
Surmic Africa 11
Western Daly Australia 11
Geelvink Bay Oceania 10
Great Andamanese Eurasia, Oceania 10
Heibanic Africa 10
Ijoid Africa 10
Maban Africa 10
Nyulnyulan Australia 10
Saharan Africa 10
Songhay Africa 10
South Bougainville Oceania 10
Worrorran Australia 10
Chocoan South America 9
Dagan Oceania 9
Tuu Africa 9
Greater Kwerba Oceania 8
Kiowa-Tanoan North America 8
Koiarian Oceania 8
Mailuan Oceania 8
Narrow Talodi Africa 8
Bosavi Oceania 7
Chukotko-Kamchatkan Eurasia 7
Dajuic Africa 7
Huitotoan South America 7
Matacoan South America 7
Muskogean North America 7
Pomoan North America 7
Arawan South America 6
Baining Oceania 6
Barbacoan South America 6
Chumashan North America 6
East Strickland Oceania 6
Kadugli-Krongo Africa 6
Kiwaian Oceania 6
Left May Oceania 6
Lengua-Mascoy South America 6
Nambiquaran South America 6
South Bird's Head Family Oceania 6
Wakashan North America 6
Yanomamic South America 6
Zaparoan South America 6
Abkhaz-Adyge Eurasia 5
Arafundi Oceania 5
Caddoan North America 5
Eleman Oceania 5
Guahiboan South America 5
Guaicuruan South America 5
Kartvelian Eurasia 5
Keram Oceania 5
Koman Africa 5
Kxa Africa 5
Mirndi Australia 5
Misumalpan North America 5
Nimboranic Oceania 5
Pauwasi Oceania 5
Sahaptian North America 5
South Omotic Africa 5
West Bird's Head Oceania 5
Xincan North America 5
Yareban Oceania 5
Yeniseian Eurasia 5
Yuat Oceania 5
Aymaran South America 4
Blue Nile Mao Africa 4
Chicham South America 4
Chinookan North America 4
Chonan South America 4
Eastern Jebel Africa 4
Eastern Trans-Fly Oceania 4
Huavean North America 4
Iwaidjan Proper Australia 4
Kamakanan South America 4
Kunimaipan Oceania 4
Maiduan North America 4
Mangarrayi-Maran Australia 4
Maningrida Australia 4
Naduhup South America 4
North Bougainville Oceania 4
Sentanic Oceania 4
Shastan North America 4
Suki-Gogodala Oceania 4
Tamaic Africa 4
Tangkic Australia 4
Turama-Kikori Oceania 4
Walioic Oceania 4
Yokutsan North America 4
Yukaghir Eurasia 4
Ainu Eurasia 3
Bororoan South America 3
Bulaka River Oceania 3
Charruan South America 3
Dizoid Africa 3
East Bird's Head Oceania 3
Giimbiyu Australia 3
Gumuz Africa 3
Jarrakan Australia 3
Kalapuyan North America 3
Kamula-Elevala Oceania 3
Katla-Tima Africa 3
Kawesqar South America 3
Kayagaric Oceania 3
Kolopom Oceania 3
Kresh-Aja Africa 3
Kuliak Africa 3
Kwalean Oceania 3
Lepki-Murkim-Kembra Oceania 3
Mairasic Oceania 3
Peba-Yagua South America 3
Saliban South America 3
Tequistlatecan North America 3
Tsimshian North America 3
West Bomberai Oceania 3
Western Tasmanian Australia 3
Yangmanic Australia 3
Zamucoan South America 3
Amto-Musan Oceania 2
Araucanian South America 2
Baibai-Fas Oceania 2
Bayono-Awbono Oceania 2
Bogia Oceania 2
Boran South America 2
Bunaban Australia 2
Cahuapanan South America 2
Chimakuan North America 2
Chiquitano South America 2
Coosan North America 2
Doso-Turumsa Oceania 2
East Kutubu Oceania 2
Eastern Daly Australia 2
Furan Africa 2
Garrwan Australia 2
Haida North America 2
Harakmbut South America 2
Hatam-Mansim Oceania 2
Hibito-Cholon South America 2
Huarpean South America 2
Hurro-Urartian Eurasia 2
Inanwatan Oceania 2
Jarawa-Onge Eurasia 2
Jicaquean North America 2
Kakua-Nukak South America 2
Katukinan South America 2
Kaure-Kosare Oceania 2
Keresan North America 2
Konda-Yahadian Oceania 2
Koreanic Eurasia 2
Kwomtari-Nai Oceania 2
Lencan North America 2
Limilngan-Wulna Australia 2
Manubaran Oceania 2
Marrku-Wurrugu Australia 2
Mombum-Koneraw Oceania 2
Namla-Tofanma Oceania 2
Nivkh Eurasia 2
North-Eastern Tasmanian Australia 2
Northern Daly Australia 2
Nyimang Africa 2
Otomaco-Taparita South America 2
Pahoturi Oceania 2
Palaihnihan North America 2
Piawi Oceania 2
Puri-Coroado South America 2
Rashad Africa 2
Senagi Oceania 2
Somahai Oceania 2
South-Eastern Tasmanian Australia 2
Southern Daly Australia 2
Tarascan North America 2
Taulil-Butam Oceania 2
Teberan Oceania 2
Temeinic Africa 2
Ticuna-Yuri South America 2
Uru-Chipaya South America 2
Wintuan North America 2
Yawa-Saweru Oceania 2
Yuki-Wappo North America 2
Abinomn Oceania 1
Abun Oceania 1
Adai North America 1
Aewa South America 1
Aikanã South America 1
Alsea-Yaquina North America 1
Andaqui South America 1
Andoque South America 1
Anem Oceania 1
Arutani South America 1
Asabano Oceania 1
Atacame South America 1
Atakapa North America 1
Bangime Africa 1
Basque Eurasia 1
Beothuk North America 1
Berta Africa 1
Betoi-Jirara South America 1
Bilua Oceania 1
Bogaya Oceania 1
Burmeso Oceania 1
Burushaski Eurasia 1
Camsá South America 1
Candoshi-Shapra South America 1
Canichana South America 1
Cayubaba South America 1
Cayuse North America 1
Chimariko North America 1
Chitimacha North America 1
Chono South America 1
Coahuilteco North America 1
Cofán South America 1
Comecrudan North America 1
Cotoname North America 1
Cuitlatec North America 1
Culli South America 1
Damal Oceania 1
Dem Oceania 1
Dibiyaso Oceania 1
Duna Oceania 1
Elamite Eurasia 1
Elseng Oceania 1
Esselen North America 1
Etruscan Eurasia 1
Fasu Oceania 1
Fulniô South America 1
Fuyug Oceania 1
Gaagudju Australia 1
Guachi South America 1
Guaicurian North America 1
Guamo South America 1
Guató South America 1
Gule Africa 1
Guriaso Oceania 1
Hadza Africa 1
Hattic Eurasia 1
Hoti South America 1
Hruso Eurasia 1
Iberian Eurasia 1
Irántxe-Münkü South America 1
Itonama South America 1
Jalaa Africa 1
Jirajaran South America 1
Kaki Ae Oceania 1
Kanoê South America 1
Kapori Oceania 1
Karami Oceania 1
Karankawa North America 1
Kariri South America 1
Karok North America 1
Kehu Oceania 1
Kenaboi Eurasia 1
Kibiri Oceania 1
Kimki Oceania 1
Klamath-Modoc North America 1
Kol (Papua New Guinea) Oceania 1
Kujarge Africa 1
Kunama Africa 1
Kungarakany Australia 1
Kunza South America 1
Kuot Oceania 1
Kusunda Eurasia 1
Kutenai North America 1
Kwaza South America 1
Laal Africa 1
Lafofa Africa 1
Laragia Australia 1
Lavukaleve Oceania 1
Leco South America 1
Lule South America 1
Máku South America 1
Maratino North America 1
Marori Oceania 1
Massep Oceania 1
Matanawí South America 1
Mato Grosso Arára South America 1
Mawes Oceania 1
Maybrat-Karon Oceania 1
Meroitic Africa 1
Mimi-Gaudefroy Africa 1
Minkin Australia 1
Mochica South America 1
Molale North America 1
Molof Oceania 1
Mor (Bomberai Peninsula) Oceania 1
Mosetén-Chimané South America 1
Movima South America 1
Mpur Oceania 1
Muniche South America 1
Mure South America 1
Nara Africa 1
Natchez North America 1
Nihali Eurasia 1
Odiai Oceania 1
Omurano South America 1
Ongota Africa 1
Oti South America 1
Oyster Bay-Big River-Little Swanport Australia 1
Páez South America 1
Pankararú South America 1
Papi Oceania 1
Pawaia Oceania 1
Payagua South America 1
Pele-Ata Oceania 1
Pirahã South America 1
Puelche South America 1
Puinave South America 1
Pumé South America 1
Puquina South America 1
Purari Oceania 1
Pyu Oceania 1
Ramanos South America 1
Salinan North America 1
Sandawe Africa 1
Sapé South America 1
Sause Oceania 1
Savosavo Oceania 1
Sechuran South America 1
Seri North America 1
Shabo Africa 1
Shom Peng Eurasia 1
Siamou Africa 1
Siuslaw North America 1
Sulka Oceania 1
Sumerian Eurasia 1
Tabo Oceania 1
Taiap Oceania 1
Takelma North America 1
Tallán South America 1
Tambora Oceania 1
Tanahmerah Oceania 1
Taruma South America 1
Tauade Oceania 1
Taushiro South America 1
Timote-Cuica South America 1
Timucua North America 1
Tinigua South America 1
Tiwi Australia 1
Tonkawa North America 1
Touo Oceania 1
Trumai South America 1
Tunica North America 1
Tuxá South America 1
Umbugarla Australia 1
Urarina South America 1
Usku Oceania 1
Vilela South America 1
Wadjiginy Australia 1
Wageman Australia 1
Waorani South America 1
Warao South America 1
Washo North America 1
Wiru Oceania 1
Xukurú South America 1
Yale Oceania 1
Yámana South America 1
Yana North America 1
Yele Oceania 1
Yerakai Oceania 1
Yetfa Oceania 1
Yuchi North America 1
Yuracaré South America 1
Yurumanguí South America 1
Zuni North America 1

Creoles are classified with the language that supplied their basic lexicon.

In addition to the families and isolates listed above, Glottolog uses several non-genealogical families for various languages:[6]

Notes

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  1. ^ See for example the bookkeeping section for ISO languages that Glottolog has deemed to be spurious distinctions.
    This discrimination does not apply to dialects, many of which have been inherited from MultiTree or other sources without verification.
  2. ^ Sign languages are listed together, including those grouped typologically as village sign languages, as are pidgins and unclassified languages, but without a claim that they are necessarily related.
  3. ^ Geographic regions include "Papunesia" (a portmanteau of Papua (New Guinea) and Austronesia), which refers to the islands of Insular Southeast Asia and Oceania, excluding Australia. Here it is replaced with 'Oceania'.

References

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  1. ^ Nordhoff, Sebastian; Hammarström, Harald (May 2012). "Glottolog/Langdoc:Increasing the visibility of grey literature for low-density languages" (PDF). Proceedings of the Eighth International Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation (LREC'12). Istanbul: European Language Resources Association (ELRA): 3289–3294.
  2. ^ "About". Glottolog 4.8. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  3. ^ Hammarström, Harald (2015). Kuzmin, E. (ed.). "Glottolog: A Free, Online, Comprehensive Bibliography of the World's Languages". Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Linguistic and Cultural Diversity in Cyberspace: 183–188.
  4. ^ "Cross-Linguistic Linked Data". Retrieved 2020-02-22.
  5. ^ "Glottolog Families". glottolog.org. Retrieved 2022-12-07.
  6. ^ "Glottolog: About Languoids". glottolog.org. Retrieved 2019-01-27.
  7. ^ "Pseudo Family: Sign Language". glottolog.org. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
  8. ^ "Glottolog Family: Bookkeeping". glottolog.org. Retrieved 2023-07-10.
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