Sociolinguistics
Sociolinguistics in SIL focuses on identifying the minority languages of the world, assessing their ethnolinguistic vitality, and describing patterns of language use. The results of that research are applied to planning appropriate language development programs and activities.
Language Assessment
In cooperation with national entities, SIL's field workers survey and assess languages, using both purely linguistic and sociolinguistic aspects of language.
Language Development
Many of the world's lesser-known languages are unwritten. When the speakers of these languages desire, we work with them to develop their languages.
Ethnologue: Languages of the World, 16th Edition
This edition of the Ethnologue includes 6,909 language descriptions, 41,186 primary names, alternate names, and dialect names, 208 color maps and a unique three-letter identifier for each language along with statistical summaries. Available as a durable, hardcover volume as well as a browsable online resource.