Carles Puigdemont, former President of Catalonia, has launched an interactive map powered by artificial intelligence. This tool makes the extensive Catalan Linguistic Atlas (ALDC) visually accessible online. Users can now explore decades of linguistic research documenting Catalan dialectal variation across its territories.

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The application is available at aldc-mapa.onrender.com. It was developed with assistance from Claude, an AI from Anthropic. Puigdemont presented it as a personal contribution to one of the most significant philological projects concerning the Catalan language. This launch coincides with the completion of the ALDC’s ninth and final volume this year. Joan Veny and Lídia Pons, who directed the atlas’s completion, stated, “The Catalan linguistic atlas is a reference for all Romance languages.”

The Catalan Linguistic Atlas is a monumental work initiated in the mid-20th century. Antoni Maria Badia i Margarit and Germà Colón started the project. Professors Joan Veny and Lídia Pons i Griera later directed its completion. For decades, a dedicated team of philologists travelled across all Catalan-speaking regions. They conducted oral surveys with native speakers, meticulously collecting responses. These responses were recorded on detailed cards, including phonetic and literal transcriptions. Some even featured sound recordings. The resulting corpus comprehensively documents the dialectal diversity of Catalan across its geographical and social spectrum.

Exploring Catalan Dialectal Diversity

The interactive map displays all survey points from the Atlas throughout the Catalan Countries. Grey points indicate locations with available data cards but no transcriptions or sound files. Other points, colour-coded by dialect, provide access to PDF documents containing phonetic and literal transcriptions. Over thirty of these points also allow users to listen directly to the voices of informants. Some of these informants were born in the late 19th century, offering unique historical linguistic insights.

A Rich Linguistic and Human Heritage

Puigdemont highlighted the richness and diversity found within the data cards in a post on X. He noted, “From customs and fishing arts to Easter meals, or they sing a song.” He also drew attention to the detailed biographical information about the informants. This included the survey date, interviewees’ names, ages, education levels, whether they had left their municipality, and if men had completed military service. Puigdemont concluded, “This also means there was great generosity on the part of the interviewed people and trust in the researchers’ work, because they knew they would make good use of it and that was enough.”

Honouring Philological Giants

The completion of the Catalan Linguistic Atlas evoked memories of legendary figures in Catalan philology for Puigdemont. He recalled, “The news that the Catalan Linguistic Atlas has culminated its purpose with the publication of the ninth and final volume has suddenly brought to mind figures like Father Alcover, Francesc de Borja Moll, and Joan Coromines, and of course, Master Pompeu Fabra.” Puigdemont positioned the Atlas within the tradition of major Catalan philological works. He also offered a political interpretation of its significance. He stated that a language possessing such works demonstrates “a tradition of scientists and scholars who love it with passion.” It also shows “the depth of the language’s roots in a territorial scope and a human landscape that are the foundation of the nation.”

AI Enhances Accessibility

Puigdemont explicitly acknowledged the crucial role of artificial intelligence in developing the application. He stated, “I have prepared this modest application, mainly thanks to the essential tools and skills provided by Claude.” He added, “Please forgive any errors I may have made, and my technological limitations.” Puigdemont clarified that the application’s sole purpose is dissemination. He described it as “a particular contribution, with no other purpose than to disseminate duly accredited knowledge and honour the people who made it possible.”

This interactive map significantly enhances online accessibility to a philological heritage that was previously difficult to consult. Puigdemont noted that other major works, such as the Alcover-Moll Dictionary and the Etymological Dictionary of Coromines, are now also available online. He concluded that “almost all of this is now accessible online, so everyone can admire the extent of this immense philological heritage.” This digital transformation ensures that Catalonia’s rich linguistic history remains vibrant and accessible for future generations of scholars and the public alike.

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Originally published by VilaWeb Feed. Read original article.