Locating the "Ratsch" at the top on a dialect map of North Rhine-Westphalia: Where to find it?
The PALAVA app is a revolutionary tool designed to document and study colloquial language in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. This app invites everyone to participate in the exploration of everyday spoken language, filling the "white spots" on the language map.
The app relies on the support of thousands of people across the region. Over 4,000 individuals have already contributed to the research, providing authentic linguistic data through the PALAVA app. Users can submit examples of spoken language, phrases, and expressions typical to their local area, aiding linguists and researchers in analysing language variation, changes, and the influence of dialects.
At the heart of the PALAVA app's methodology is the expression 'have a chat over a beer'. This phrase is used to analyse linguistic differences, offering insights into the unique colloquial language of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Dr. Charlotte Rein, a linguist at LVR, explains that these 'white spots' are areas where less data has been collected. The richness of everyday colloquial language in the regions is not fully explored, making the PALAVA app an invaluable resource for linguistic researchers.
The PALAVA app is accessible to anyone interested in participating in the research. It is available for free download on all major app stores, making it easy for individuals to contribute to the ongoing study.
Researchers from regional associations also gather linguistic data in North Rhine-Westphalia, working in conjunction with the PALAVA app to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the regional dialects. The goal of the research is to reduce the 'white spots' on the language map, providing a more accurate representation of the colloquial language in the region.
The dialects of Rhineland and Westphalia are well-documented, but the everyday language use is a less explored territory. By participating in the PALAVA app's research, everyone is invited to help fill this gap and contribute to a deeper understanding of the colloquial language in North Rhine-Westphalia.
To contribute to the study of the colloquial language in North Rhine-Westphalia, one can download the PALAVA app and submit examples of spoken language, phrases, and expressions typical to their home-and-garden or daily lifestyle. The richness of everyday colloquial language in the regions can be uncovered through the PALAVA app, bridging the gap in our understanding of local dialects and helping researchers map out the full landscape of the language in North Rhine-Westphalia, extending beyond the documented dialects of Rhineland and Westphalia.
