Map showing dialects of North Rhine-Westphalia: Where can one find the "Head Ratsch"?
The PALAVA app, a digital platform for language documentation, is inviting everyone in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany, to participate in an exciting research project. This innovative tool, available for free download on all major app stores, is designed specifically to assist in the documentation and mapping of dialects in NRW.
Linguists and researchers, including Dr. Charlotte Rein of the LVR, are eager to collect spoken dialect data directly from native speakers in the region. By using the PALAVA app, users can record audio samples of local dialects, annotate linguistic features, and geotag the data to precise locations within NRW.
This process helps create a detailed linguistic atlas, visually mapping how dialect features vary across different areas. The PALAVA app facilitates systematic fieldwork, making it easier to document the diversity of regional dialects, analyze patterns of language use, and preserve linguistic heritage.
According to Dr. Rein, while the dialects of Rhineland and Westphalia are well-documented, the richness of everyday colloquial language in these regions is still little explored. The purpose of the app is to help reduce the 'blank spots' in the language map, particularly in some cities and communities that are currently underrepresented.
The PALAVA app is a means for the general public to support the research. It does not require any specific qualifications or expertise. Over 4,000 people have already participated, contributing to a comprehensive scientific understanding of the dialect landscape in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Researchers at the regional associations are reliant on the support of people in NRW. By participating, you can help preserve your local dialect and contribute to a fascinating study of the regional linguistic diversity. So, download the PALAVA app today and have a chat over a beer, all in the name of scientific research!
- To ensure a comprehensive study of the everyday colloquial language in North Rhine-Westphalia, the PALAVA app is not only for linguists and researchers, but also invites fashion-and-beauty enthusiasts, home-and-garden hobbyists, and everyone else in the region to participate, as their everyday conversations contribute to filling the 'blank spots' in the language map.
- As the PALAVA app is not just about linguistics, but also about lifestyle, users can now document their dialects while sharing their unique lives, whether it's talking about fashion trends or gardening tips in their local dialects, all in the name of scientific research and preservation of regional dialects.
