Mapping Mapping languages – languages – a case studya case study

Mapping languages

• We want to – represent a complex reality– with simplified models– basing ourselves on vague, inaccurate and

contradictory sources

A case study: Sirionó• Sirionó• A language of Bolivia• ISO 639-3: srq• Population399 (2000 W. Adelaar). 50 monolinguals. Ethnic

population: 419 (2000 W. Adelaar) to over 600 (2000 P. Priest SIL).RegionEastern Beni and northwestern Santa Cruz Departments, village of Ibiato (Eviato) and along the Río Blanco in farms and ranches.Alternate names  Mbia Chee, MbyaDialectsClose to Yuqui.ClassificationTupi, Tupi-Guarani, Subgroup IILanguage useParents pass Sirionó on to children, but want them to learn Spanish. Used in religious services. All ages. Positive language attitude. 5% to 10% are monolingual, others use Spanish as second language.Language developmentLiteracy rate in first language: 40%. 250 can read, 50 can write Sirionó. Taught in primary schools. Roman script. Dictionary. NT: 1977.CommentsSome form of whistle speech reported. Tropical forest, pampa. Lowlands. Agriculturalists. Christian.

Sirionó on a standard language map

Two other maps of the Sirionó area

Allan Holmberg Allyn Stearman

Combining information at hand

Pre-settlement

Sirionó area according to

Holmberg

Pre-settlement

Sirionó area according to

Stearman

Sirionó area according to Ethnologue and WALS

Green dots: places mentioned by Holmberg and/or Stearman in connection with Sirionó

Sirionó area according to Ethnologue

Combining information at hand

Ibiato:major present

Sirionó settlement700 inh.

Green dots: places mentioned by Holmberg and/or Stearman in connection with Sirionó

Salvatierra: a few

speakers of Sirionó in the

1990’s

Casarabe acc. to Soviet

military

Zooming inOfficial

territory of the Sirionó

acc. to governmental

decree

”Eviato” acc. to US military

Casarabe acc. to US

militaryActual

location of Casarabe

Actual location of

Ibiato

Stearman’s Ibiato maps

Google EarthStearman

Google Earth

Stearman

Google Earth

Stearman

Conclusion

• We need much more than simple polygons

• We need accurate first-hand information

• Define standards!

• Equip every field linguist with a GPS device!