Mapping the world’s languages

Each of the world’s 7,000 languages is meaningful and adds to the richness of human expression. The SIL Mapping Team maintains the language mapping of the world. We will present the workflows of creating maps that display the language homeland locations and their linguistic relationships. We will explore data sources, updating processes and design, production and maintenance of maps. The data and finished maps are used in various aspects of planning of Bible translation and other language development projects worldwide by SIL and partner organizations. These projects promote literacy, education and human flourishing within the speakers’ community.

Matt has worked with the SIL Mapping Team for nearly thirty years and has been the team leader for the past six years. He has given GIS training in Kenya, Indonesia, and Malaysia. He currently lives in the Dallas area and leads a remote team of fifteen.

Matt Benjamin, Cartographer at SIL International