UBC Library users are now able to access Ethnologue, an authoritative encyclopedic resource on world languages.
The database contains datasets, analytics, maps, country profiles, language families, and language profiles of the world’s 7,111 known living languages, enabling users to find in-depth information about maps, dialects, usage, and more.
Dr. Lisa Matthewson, Associate Department Head at UBC’s Department of Linguistics is thrilled to have access to this tool and is using Ethnologue in her research related to vitality and endangerment status for at-risk languages, particularly Gitksan, a Tsimshianic language spoken along the Skeena River in northwestern British Columbia. “It’s important to have accurate information about speaker numbers, as this can inform not only linguistic research, but policy decisions on the part of governments,” says Matthewson, “Given that at least 90% of the world’s languages are at risk, it’s really important to have a database that highlights language status and that reports about that status on the basis of reliable data.”
A language map captures where Gitxsan is spoken.
In addition to providing statistics for a given country, region, or the world, Ethnologue also provides raw data that allows researchers to use their own analysis tools to tease out exactly what they need.
“Ethnologue is an essential resource used heavily by language researchers across disciplines that recently moved from an open access to a paid subscription model,” says Susan Atkey, Humanities & Social Sciences Librarian, “When I heard from UBC faculty and students about how the loss of access to the statistics, maps, and language use information was affecting their research and coursework, I knew we needed to act to provide ongoing access to this key resource through the library to support vital work such as the documentation and revitalization of endangered languages.”
Explore the Ethnologue database.
This project is part of UBC Library’s strategic direction to create and deliver responsive collections.
Learn more about our Strategic Framework.
