PROJECTS OF THE IUA

The Language Atlas of China constitutes a continuation of the LAPA project. Its aim has been the graphic presentation, on 36 large multi coloured maps, of the many languages and dialects spoken by the non-Han Chinese people in China who have largely been included in a number of National Minorities and of the numerous large and small dialects of Chinese itself. Text materials showing the grouping and classification of the languages and dialects and the number of their speakers, appropriate explanations and notes and bibliographical data, were added to each map, and general maps and indexes accompany the two main sections dealing with non-Han Chinese languages and Chinese dialects respectively. Several general maps are added to the Atlas which appears in two parts, with each of these subdivided into a non-Han Chinese languages section and a Chinese dialects section. There are English and Chinese editions. The Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies of The Australian National University, Canberra, has been very strongly involved in this project, especially through its Department of Linguistics. Both English and Chinese editions were completed and published in 1987-90 by Longman (FE) Pty Ltd, Hong Kong.

This continuation of the LAPA project was reported to the UAI in 1983 by the Australian Academy of the Humanities which initiated it together with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Directed by the Australian Academy of the Humanities and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Directors : S.A. Wurm and L. Yongquan 1983-2001, D. Tryon 2001-