The online version of the Ethnologue, published every four years and now in its 13th edition, presents the results of an extensive survey of world languages. Organized foremost by geographical area and then by country, the database is also searchable by keyword. In addition, access is provided by two indices: the Language Name Index, which includes variants in language names used by different population groups, and the Language Family Index, listing all language families, from the largest grouping down to the smallest (i.e. Indo‐European > Germanic > West > North Sea > English).
The Web page design isn’t fancy; but it gets the job done. Aside from the main page, few graphics are included ; but aside from language maps (which could be more plentiful), they aren’t really necessary. From the home page, links are provided to the various sections: the Introduction and Preface; Search (keyword access to the entries), Areas and Countries (the main table of contents), the two Indices, and other sections of note. These include Languages of Special Interest (e.g. links to entries for Gypsy, Jewish, and creole languages) and the Top 100 Languages, a list organized by the number of total speakers worldwide, current as of February, 1999.
New users should first read both the Preface and the Introduction to get the most from this database, as the Ethnologue’s organization is explained fully there. A separate entry in the database is provided for each language (as distinguished from mutually intelligible dialects) currently in use in a particular country, with the exception of “immigrant languages.” Information on recently‐extinct languages mentioned in previous editions of the Ethnologue, such as Chinook, is also provided.
Within each country designation, for each language the following information is listed, in rather condensed form: alternate names, language identification code (see next paragraph), number of speakers, location, dialects, language family, multilingualism of speakers, availability of the Bible in that language, and other demographic and sociolinguistic information. In addition, each country page contains a population estimate, literacy rate, major languages spoken, and an estimate on the total blind and deaf population. (Each distinct version of sign language has an entry in the Ethnologue.) Some entries also include language typology, such as SOV for the word order Subject‐Object‐Verb. Bibliographic references for each piece of numerical data are provided, with complete source information available in the Bibliography.
Each distinct language is assigned a three‐letter code for easy cross‐referencing. For example, the French language is marked [FRN] for the entries for all countries where French is spoken, such as France, Belgium, Algeria, Senegal, and so on. Clicking on the abbreviation provides a list of all countries where that language is in use, with direct links to the Ethnologue entry for each language/country pair.
In addition to the Web version reviewed here, the Ethnologue comes in two additional formats: CD‐ROM and print, each of which is available at a comparatively low cost and can be ordered online. Though not seen, the CD‐ROM (ISBN 1‐55671‐080‐1, $29.95) is called “more than a CD of the Internet version,” with the addition of 84 language maps and many more hypertext cross‐references between language entries. It also claims a faster and simpler search interface, and is compatible with Macintosh and Windows 95/98 PCs. The corresponding print version is a 900+ page reference book (ISBN 1‐55671‐026‐7, $45) with the same information contained in the Web and CD, with 112 language maps. Both the Language Name and Language Family indices may be purchased in book form at additional cost. For those with reliable Internet connections, neither of these is necessary; but the maps ‐ examples of which are posted online ‐ describe each country’s language boundaries more fully.
In conclusion, the Ethnologue is an excellent example of the ways in which the Web can enhance the usability of a traditional print‐based reference source. It provides information on little‐known languages not easily available elsewhere, and its impeccable scholarship and simple interface make it an indispensable resource for all language scholars. The inclusion of additional language maps would only enhance the online version; perhaps they could be added to future editions. Highly recommended for users of all levels, from students to professionals.
