Leksikaalsel

Leksikaalsel is a digital lexicon project dedicated to the Alsel language family, compiled as an open-access resource for linguists, students, and language enthusiasts. The database aims to document lemmas, semantic relations, phonology, morphology, and usage, providing a structured reference for both analysis and language learning.

Entries in Leksikaalsel include lemma, pronunciation, part of speech, definitions, example sentences, etymology tracing back to proto-Alsel roots, cognates in related languages, cross-links to related lemmas, and notes on dialectal variants and semantic shift.

The project began in 2012 as a collaborative effort among universities and independent researchers and evolved into a living, community-driven resource. It operates with editorial oversight, transparency about sources, and an open license to encourage reuse and adaptation.

Technically, the data is stored in a scalable database with a public search interface and an API for programmatic access. Users can browse by semantic field, language family, or part of speech, and editors maintain citation and revision histories.

Leksikaalsel is used in academic research on lexicography and language documentation, in linguistic fieldwork preparation, and in language revitalization efforts where Alsel is still spoken or taught. Critics note ongoing challenges in standardization and dialectal variation.