Langscape’s mapping capabilities make use of World Language Mapping System polygon and point data (currently version 16), under license from
Global Mapping International.
- The languages mapped are aligned with the languages identified in the Ethnologue (currently version 16), which is also the source of population, alternate name, dialects, use and language family data appearing in Langscape.
- Polygons appearing on the map are intended to indicate "traditional linguistic homelands". They do not indicate immigrant or refugee populations.
- Where a language is widespread in an area (e.g. English in the United States), it is not designated by a polygon but “fills in" areas around other polygons.
- Where a language area crosses the border of two countries, the language name is associated with two (adjacent) polygons.
More detailed documentation of the language mapping data can be found on the
World GeoDatasets website.
We will soon have the capacity to add and display map layers in addition to the basic language map.
