World's Languages

The basis is mainly the classifications given on ENE-EE language maps, but newer concepts (including Ethnologue and Linguist List) have also been taken into account. In the case of Amerindian languages, hypothetical tribes and grand tribes are given, although the vast majority of modern approaches do not follow them. The classification of languages is sometimes commented on in the full entry. The main purpose of the database is to bring together the different names used to designate languages, peoples, language groups, etc. and to select the linguistically recommended ones. The classifications of languages and dialects, language families, etc. reflected in the base cannot be considered final, the user will always have the opportunity to match them on his own. For example, if there is Karelian, Livviko and Lyte language in the base, this means nothing other than that the ISO standard gives these language shapes their own codes, it does not exclude, for example, writing about Karelian and the dialects of this Aunus and Lyte. As regards the names of language groups, it should be borne in mind that although many names are synonymous, they have also been given different meanings by different authors (see, for example, the note under Niger-Kordofan languages).