A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Grambank reveals the importance of genealogical constraints on linguistic diversity and highlights the impact of language loss
Authors: Skirgård Hedvig, Haynie Hannah J., Blasi Damián E., Hammarström Harald, Collins Jeremy, Latarche Jay J., Lesage Jakob, Weber Tobias, Witzlack-Makarevich Alena, Passmore Sam, Chira Angela, Maurits Luke, Dinnage Russell, Dunn Michael, Reesink Ger, Singer Ruth, Bowern Claire, Epps Patience, Hill Jane, Vesakoski Outi, Robbeets Martine, Abbas Noor Karolin, Auer Daniel, Bakker Nancy A., Barbos Giulia, Borges Robert D., Danielsen Swintha, Dorenbusch Luise, Dorn Ella, Elliott John, Falcone Giada, Fischer Jana, Ate Yustinus Ghanggo, Gibson Hannah, Göbel Hans-Philipp, Goodall Jemina A., Gruner Victoria, Harvey Andrew, Hayes Rebekah, Heer Leonard, Herrera Miranda Roberto E., Hübler Nataliia, Huntington-Rainey Biu, Ivani Jessica K., Johns Marilen, Just Erika, Kashima Eri, Kipf Carolina, Klingenberg Janina V., König Nikita, Koti Aikaterina, Kowalik Richard G. A., Krasnoukhova Olga, Lindvall Nora L.M., Lorenzen Mandy, Lutzenberger Hannah, Martins Tânia R. A., German Celia Mata, van der Meer Suzanne, Samamé Jaime Montoya, Müller Michael, Muradoglu Saliha, Neely Kelsey, Nickel Johaanna, Norvik Miina, Oluoch Cheryl Akinyi, Peacock Jesse, Pearey India O. C., Peck Naomi, Petit Stephanie, Pieper Sören, Poblete Mariana, Prestipino Daniel, Raabe Linda, Raja Amna, Reimringer Janis, Rey Sydney C., Rizaew Julia, Ruppert Eloisa, Salmon Kim K., Sammet Jill, Schembri Rhiannon, Schlabbach Lars, Schmidt Frederick W. P., Skilton Amalia, Smith Wikaliler Daniel, de Sousa Hilário, Sverredal Kristin, Valle Daniel, Vera Javier, Voß Judith, Witte Tim, Wu Henry, Yam Stephanie, Ye Jingting., Yong Maisie, Yuditha Tessa, Zariquiey Roberto, Forkel Robert, Evans Nicholas, Levinson Stephen C., Haspelmath Martin, Greenhill Simon J., Atkinson Quentin D., Gray Russell D.
Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Publication year: 2023
Journal: Science Advances
Article number: eadg6175
Volume: 9
Issue: 16
ISSN: 2375-2548
eISSN: 2375-2548
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adg6175
Web address : https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adg6175
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/179619243
While global patterns of human genetic diversity are increasingly well characterized, the diversity of human languages remains less systematically described. Here, we outline the Grambank database. With over 400,000 data points and 2400 languages, Grambank is the largest comparative grammatical database available. The comprehensiveness of Grambank allows us to quantify the relative effects of genealogical inheritance and geographic proximity on the structural diversity of the world’s languages, evaluate constraints on linguistic diversity, and identify the world’s most unusual languages. An analysis of the consequences of language loss reveals that the reduction in diversity will be strikingly uneven across the major linguistic regions of the world. Without sustained efforts to document and revitalize endangered languages, our linguistic window into human history, cognition, and culture will be seriously fragmented.
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