World Language Phyla/Family Mapping
Dr. Stephen Huffman
Contents
- Abstract
- What's New as of September 26, 2011
- Usage Notes
- Maps with PDF downloads
- Classification data and ArcGIS project file downloads
Abstract
Dr. Huffman has classified the languages of the Ethnologue into broader groupings following Merritt Ruhlen's A Guide to the World's Languages (published 1987, 1991 by Stanford University Press), and has produced as series of maps of language phyla and families using this classified data and several versions the World Language Mapping System and Seamless Digital Chart of the World geographic data sets. PDF versions of the maps available for download, as are Dr. Huffman's data table and ArcGIS project files.
For additional discussion of both language classification and the initial mapping process, see Dr. Huffman's paper describing this work: Mapping The Genetic Relationships of the World's Languages (pdf).
What's New
As of September 26, 2011:
- Newer Indo European Language Family map available.
As of September 19, 2011:
- PDF files have been recreated with WLMS 16.0 (16th Edition Ethnologue) with improved coverage of widespread/national languages.
- Data and map project download for WLMS version 16.0 (16th Edition Ethnologue) added.
Usage Notes
- The PDF files are fairly large. We recommend downloading first, then opening the file in Adobe Reader. Most browsers support this with a right-click (Windows) or option-click (Mac) on the download link. See your browser's help system for details. Those with slow or unreliable connections are advised to use a download manager. We use Fresh Download.
- Maps in this series were designed to be printed on large-format (36" wide or greater) primters. Adobe Reader allows printing at smaller sizes, but text and language borders may be unreadable. Full detail may be seen by zooming in on-screen in Adobe Reader. Large format printers can be found in most cities in sign shops and larger print/copy shops.
- To find a specific language, zoom into the map until language names are visible, then use Acrobat's Find (ctrl-F) function to move to the part of the map containing the language you are looking for. Name are from the 16th Edition Ethnologue; names can be looked up at www.ethnologue.com.
- Permission is granted to reprint these maps for personal, academic, or nonprofit use. For for-profit publication, contact Dr. Huffman.
Maps Produced with the World Language Mapping System and Seamless Digital Chart of the World
Maps previewed on this page and available for download were produced with version 16.0 of the World Language Mapping System (WLMS), corresponding to the 16th Edition of the Ethnologue, and version 10.0 of the Seamless Digital Chart of the World (SDCW).
The World's Language Phyla
66 x 34 in (download PDF - 4.3 MB)
Click the map below to enlarge
A sample map of the World's language phyla
Languages of Africa
36 x 44 in (download PDF - 2 MB)
Click the map below to enlarge
The Languages of Africa
Languages of the Horn of Africa
34 x44 in (download PDF - 1 MB)
Click the map below to enlarge
The Languages of the Horn of Africa
Languages of China
38 x 72 in (download PDF - 2.8 MB)
Click the map below to enlarge
The Languages of China
Here is a closer look at some of the details
Click the map below to enlarge
Zoomed in for detail
The Eurasiatic Language Phylum
60 x 36 in (download PDF - 4 MB)
Click the map below to enlarge
The Eurasiatic language phylum
Languages of Southeast Asia
34 x 44 in (download PDF - 2.3 MB)
Click the map below to enlarge
The Languages of Southeast Asia
Languages of the Indian Subcontinent
36 x 44 in (download PDF - 1.1 MB)
Click map below to enlarge
The Languages of the Indian subcontinent
Languages of Sudan
34 x 44 in (download PDF - 1 MB)
Click the map below to enlarge
The Languages of Sudan
The Indo European Language Family
60 x 36 in (download PDF - 3.6 MB)
Click the map below to enlarge
Classification Data and ArcGIS project files
Download classification data table and GIS project files used to produce the maps above. Classification table is .DBF format, importable by most spreadsheet and database programs. GIS project files are in .MXD format for use with Esri's ArcGIS 9.3 or a later version and require the World Language Mapping System (WLMS) and Seamless Digital Chart of the World (SDCW) data products.
- huffman-WLMS-16.zip for use with WLMS v. 16.0 (16th Edition Ethnologue) and SDCW v. 10.0
Notes:
- To use these files to produce maps with ArcGIS, WLMS, and SDCW (assuming all are installed), save the .zip to c:\GMI_Geodata\projects (if the WLMS and SDCW are installed in their default locations), then right click on the zip file and choose "expand to here" using WinZip). You should end up with all files in a folder c:\GMI_Geodata\projects\huffman. Simply open the ArcMap project files to use. If you have WLMS but not DCW, data for some layers will be missing and will be marked with a red ! in the ArcMap Table of Contents.
