Programme logs on to languages

Cataloguing the languages of the world on computer is the ambitious intention of the international Logosphere programme. Fin-anced by the Leverhulme Trust, it was established by the Observatoire Linguistique based at Cressenville in France, in partnership with London's School of Oriental and African Studies.

According to Logosphere's creator, David Dalby, director of the Observatoire: "The intention is to create a database that will be accessible to schools, colleges and any individuals who are interested in learning about a particular language."

The first stage is a detailed classification of all languages spoken in the world today according to their linguistic group - for example Indo-European. This information, together with geographical details about where and how often they are used, will be launched this December in Paris.

For the following four years, the project will focus on providing extensive data about each individual language.

The first language to be examined in this way will be Welsh. This contribution to the Logosphere is being directed by Colin Williams, Cardiff University's professor of sociolinguistics.

It will incorporate sections on the language's grammar and vocabulary, its uses in literature and on television, and maps of its distribution and usage across the principality.