Phonemica: Recording and mapping linguistic diversity in China
We see a lot of language mapping for the USA and Europe, but Phonemica aims to provide a place to share recordings of the language varieties of China. There is a lot of linguistic diversity across China - both within the Sinitic language, which as often known as the dialects of Chinese, and also other languages.
The website allows recordings to be uploaded and then transcribed and translated. There are hundreds of recordings with geographical information.
From the ‘about’ section of the website:
Phonemica 乡音苑 is a collection of stories in local vernaculars. The stories are contributed by our users, who record, upload and transcribe regional lore: nursery rhymes and childhood games, preparation of specialty foods, humorous anecdotes, local history, and much more.
Our goal is to bring to a wider audience, through language and stories, the unique customs, beliefs and history of each village and each neighborhood, archiving the audio for future generations. We believe that each language and dialect is a priceless cultural treasure embedding history, social customs -- the knowledge of a people.
If you have a friend or relative who is a good storyteller, please register (it's free!), record their stories, and upload. You can also help by transcribing and translating stories. Again, just register, go to a recording in a dialect you understand, and click on the transcript below to transcribe. Phonemica is a community project that depends on its users and we need your help to grow!
Although it started as a platform for Chinese varieties, Phonemica is now open to non-Sinitic languages. You can hear languages from the Tibeto-Burman, Tai-Kadai and Austronesian families well as a wide range of Sinitic languages.
Language mapping, see also:
The language of tea
Potato cake vs. potato scallop: results of the Australian words survey
Interactive map of Illustrations of the International Phonetic Association (IPA)
Yup'ik Environmental Knowledge Project - Interactive Atlas
