Nyelveiket

Nyelveiket is a digital linguistic reference project and encyclopedia dedicated to the documentation, classification, and description of the world's languages, with a particular emphasis on endangered and underrepresented languages. The project operates as an open-access resource designed to support researchers, educators, language communities, and policy makers by providing verifiable data, field-based documentation, and community-oriented collaboration.

Etymology and scope

The name Nyelveiket reflects the project’s core focus on languages and their communities. In its in-universe terminology, Nyelveiket denotes “the languages” and stands as a umbrella for entries that cover linguistic, sociolinguistic, and ethnographic aspects of language use. Each language entry consolidates information on classification, geography, dialect variation, vitality, and the social functions of language in daily life.

History and organization

Nyelveiket was established by an international consortium of linguists, community advocates, and educational organizations in the early 2010s. It is hosted by a non-profit research body and governed by an editorial board with advisory and community liaison committees. The project emphasizes collaborative workflows, data transparency, and partnerships with universities, language communities, and field researchers.

Content and features

Entries include language description, speaker population estimates, endangerment status, phonology and grammar sketches, orthography notes, and sample texts with audio recordings. The database supports metadata standards, licensing that protects contributor rights, and avenues for community-curated content. User submissions and peer-reviewed updates are incorporated through a transparent review process.

Impact and reception

Nyelveiket serves as a practical resource for linguistic research, language revitalization efforts, and educational programs. It aims to promote data sovereignty by involving speaker communities in governance and content decisions. Some debates center on standardization versus community-specific representation, with ongoing efforts to balance openness with local control.