July 14, 2016

Visualizing the Global Network of Languages

Interactive visualization uses translation data to explore connections among world languages

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American

In the world of complex data graphics, interactive nodal network diagrams can offer some of the richest data exploration opportunities. This week, the Macro Connections Group at MIT Media Lab released Global Language Network, an interactive visualization of the world’s many languages and their relationships to each other.

Image from "Links that speak: The global language network and its association with global fame," by Shahar Ronen, et al., in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Vol. 11, No. 52; June 2014
Click the image above to launch the interactive

This colorful web of information represents an ideal use of the nodal diagram as a means of visual communication. Before you even glance down to see the legend or hover over the circles to view the associated data, a primary message emerges effortlessly: English stands at the center among the most popular languages, and shows that it has the most abundant and strongest connections with other languages. Meanwhile, circle colors suggest categories of related tongues, providing some intuitive context for the connection patterns.

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

Perhaps the most fascinating part of this visualization is the range of data sources involved. The connection lines are based on how frequently texts are translated from one language to another, but users can choose to view data from books, Twitter, or Wikipedia. The visual results are remarkably distinct in each case.

Images showing translation data from books (left), Twitter (center), and Wikipedia (right)

Intrigued? In addition to exploring the visualization, you can read the associated paper, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2014. And for more on world languages and their connections, see Michael Balter’s story on the ancient spread of Proto-Indo-European tongues, from the May 2016 issue of Scientific American. (Subscribers: for full article content, including the associated graphic, click on the “download” link.)

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American