Dialectometry

Research project P 13881 Diabectometry Hans GOEBL 11.10.1999 Dialectometry (DM) is a scientific procedure to synthesize data of linguistic atlases by means of statistical methods. Its primary goal is the explicit presentation of those latent patterns which are hidden in linguistic atlas data. DM treats problems of human dialect management of geographic space (i.e. dialect merging, dialect transition, dialect borders). Its results can also be used for global or inter-disciplinary research. Basically, DM proceeds in the following way: 1) measurement: the linguistic atlas data are encoded for subsequent computer treatment; 2) statistics: the encoded data are treated and condensed by numeric statistic methods; 3) visualization: the numeric results are visualized by means of computer cartography in a dear and suggestive way. Here we apply for financial support of a new contract ("Werkvertrag") for Dr. Edgar Halmerl. His task will be the extension und completion of his computer programs VDM (Visual Dialectometry) and IRS (Index Retrieval System). He developed their basic concepts in 1998 and 1999 and will be asked to implement four additional features: 1) Computation of data on metrical scale; 2) Adaptation of hierarcic-agglomerative duster algorithms for DM; 3) Improvement of printer output (esp. for btw-copies in publications); 4) Taxation of data of the brand new ALD-1 (Linguistic Atlas of Dolomitic Ladinian), including the option of manual correction of the automation taxation. Implementation of a VDM-IRS-Interface.