The Linguasphere Observatory
What is the Linguasphere Observatory?
The Linguasphere Observatory (the Observatoire Linguistique in French and the Wylfa Ieithoedd in Welsh) is a transnational research network devoted to the worldwide study and promotion of multilingualism. It is an independant non-profit organization, created in France in 1983 and based currently in Wales, with no religious or political affiliations.
The motto of the Linguasphere Observatory (in French, Welsh and English) is: "dans la galaxie des langues, la voix de chaque personne est une étoile"
"seren yw llais pob un yng ngalaeth yr ieithoedd"
"in the galaxy of languages, each person's voice is a star"
These words refects the concern of the Linguasphere Observatory to maintain a balanced approach to the study of our multilingual world, addressing the need not only for a global, transnational view of the linguasphere but also for a close concern with each person's linguistic rights and needs.
What are the aims and achievements of the Linguasphere Observatory?
The Linguasphere Observatory serves as a viewing-platform from which the linguasphere may be observed as a transnational system, and from which the situation of each linguistic community, however small, may be seen in its local and global context. Its fundamental aims are to study and promote multilingualism, to encourage the role of international languages in the service of a multilingual world, and to monitor the linguistic rights of the individual.
The Linguasphere Observatory was first established in 1983 (under its French title "Observatoire Linguistique"), to promote research and education in multilingualism, following proposals drawn up in that year at the Centre International de Recherche en Bilinguisme in Quebec (Université Laval). The first honorary President of the Linguasphere Observatory is Léopold Sédar Senghor, poet and former President of Senegal, and its founding Director is David Dalby (Universities of London and Wales), Franco-British linguist. Emeritus Professor Roland Breton (Université de Paris VIII & Université de Provence) chairs the Observatory's Advisory Research Council, which includes: Dr Philip Baker (University of Westminster), Dr David Barrett (Virginia), Dr Philippe Blanchet (Université de Rennes), Michael Everson (Dublin), Professor Dick Hayward (University of London), Professor Vinesh Hookoomsing (University of Mauritius), Dr Lachman Khubchandani (Pune), Professor Nhlanhla Maake (University of Witwatersrand), Michael Mann (University of London), Dr Grant McConnell (Université Laval, Quebec), Dr Konrad Tuchscherer (University of Boston) and Professor Colin Williams (University of Cardiff).
The Linguasphere Register provides the first detailed classification and global index of the worlds languages and dialects, coded and presented according to their closest relationships, and serves also as the framework for an integrated database on the languages of the world. Using the present website, the updating and enlargement of the Register will be developed as a transnational and inter-institutional project, Exploring the Linguasphere, the results of which will be placed at the disposal of UNESCO's Linguapax programme, in its preparation of a series of regular reports on the state of languages in the world, and will also provide a framework for the integrated global mapping of language and communication around the globe.
In Paris on 25th September 1997, the first pre-publication copy of the Linguasphere Register was presented to Sr. Federico Mayor, Director General of UNESCO, by the Director of the Observatory and by the Chairman of the Observatorys Research Council.
The Linguasphere Observatory fully supports Federico Mayor's call, made at Bilbao in 1996, for the preparation of a detailed linguistic map of the world. Following generous support from the Leverhulme Trust Fund and the London School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), including the close involvement of Michael Mann (Dept. of Africa) and Professor Tony Allan (Dept. of Geography), the computerized mapping of the languages of Africa and the adjacent islands has already been completed (see Mapbase). Yasir Mohieldeen, a young Sudanese cartographer and a member of the Observatory, has played a key role in this work at SOAS, and the associations of the Observatory are currently seeking sponsorship for the engagement and advanced training of cartographers from Africa, India and other multilingual parts of the world.
This African map will form the first part of the Linguasphere Mapbase of the world's languages, to be produced early in the new millennium. The computerized cartography designed for this project will be extended progressively to Asia and Europe, including a programme of collaboration with linguists and cartographers in India, co-ordinated by Professor Lachman Khubchandani. Under the direction of Dr Philip Baker, work on the mapping of urban linguistic minorities is in progress, with the 275 languages spoken among primary schoolchildren in London already completed (see the Languages of London), and on the preparation of a post-census atlas of Mauritius, jointly with the University of Mauritius and SOAS.
Work on a French language version of the Linguasphere Register, the Répertoire des Langues du Monde, has already benefited from the support of the Agence de la Francophonie, and further francophone support is being sought to enable the entire Register and Linguasphere Mapbase to be published also in French.
The Observatory has been responsible for a series of public debates in Normandy, Provence and Wallonia on multilingualism in Europe ("Nos Langues et lUnité de lEurope" - "Our Languages and the Unity of Europe"), of which the first, held in Fleury-sur-Andelle (Normandy) in 1992, was presided by Emeritus Professor André Martinet.
With support from the Canadian Government, the French province of Haute-Normandie, and the Agence de la Francophonie (formerly Agence de Coopération Culturelle et Technique), the Observatory has created two bilingual exhibitions on language at the Pompidou Centre in Paris, which have also toured internationally (including universities throughout Nigeria, the Commonwealth Institute in London, the Palais des Congrès at Liège, the Hôtel de Région at Rouen, and the Parliament buildings in Canberra, Australia).
The Observatory was responsible in 1990 for the first public display in France and England of the only contemporary but hitherto neglected non-Latin manuscript of England's Magna Carta, in thirteenth century French.
What are the Associations of the Linguasphere Observatory?
The Observatory is supported and represented on the ground by regional, voluntary associations, of which the first have been established in Normandy (the Association Normande de lObservatoire Linguistique, registered under the French law of 1901), in bilingual Wales (Wylfa Ieithoedd yng Nghymru) and in India.
Madame Denise Hoffman (Les Andelys) holds the chair of the Norman Association and Professor Colin Williams (Cardiff) holds the chair of the Welsh Association. The Indian Association is an integral part of the Bhasha Research Centre at Baroda, directed by Dr Ganesh Devy, which is actively engaged in the protection and promotion of minority languages and literatures in India.
It has always been the policy of the Linguasphere Observatory to balance its global interests with a practical concern for the grass-roots development of bilingual and multilingual education, and the members of its Associations have made contributions to this field in different countries. In September 1997, Geraldine Ní Nílán of Ireland, a founding member of the Observatory in Normandy, opened its first associated teaching-centre at Mesnil-Esnard near Rouen, entitled H.E.L.L.O. ! (House of Education in Languages of the Linguasphere Observatory).
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