How to Compare Languages Using Cog
Cog is revolutionary software that allows you to efficiently compare and analyze word lists from various language varieties. Built with powerful analytical tools, Cog simplifies many complex tasks, enabling you to focus on higher-level sociolinguistic questions. This guide breaks down the steps to effectively use Cog, helping local language communities overcome linguistic barriers and promote community flourishing.
Inputting Word Lists
Step 1: Transcribe Word Lists into IPA
All word lists must be transcribed into the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA).
Step 2: Create a New Cog Project
- Open Cog, which will automatically create a new project.
- Alternatively, click on the File menu and select New.
Step 3: Manually Enter or Import Word Lists
Manually Enter Word Lists
- Add language varieties by clicking on Add a new variety in the tasks sidebar and specifying a name.
- Add meanings by clicking on Add a new meaning in the tasks sidebar and specifying a gloss.
- Enter transcribed word forms into the word lists table.
Import Word Lists
From WordSurv 6
- Export your survey to XML in WordSurv 6.
- In Cog, click Import word lists in the tasks sidebar and select WordSurv 6 XML.
- Locate and open the saved XML file.
From WordSurv 7
- Export your survey to CSV in WordSurv 7.
- In Cog, click Import word lists in the tasks sidebar and select WordSurv 7 CSV.
- Locate and open the saved CSV file.
From Excel
- Save the Excel sheet as Unicode Text.
- In Cog, click Import word lists in the tasks sidebar and select Tab-delimited Text.
- Locate and open the saved text file.
Preparing Word Lists
Step 1: Segmentation
- Cog automatically segments words into consonants and vowels. Words with issues will be underlined in red.
Step 2: Syllabification
- Cog splits each word into syllables and groups successive consonants or vowels into clusters or polyphthongs.
Step 3: Stemming
- Manually mark stems or specify affixes for Cog to strip automatically.
- For automatic stemming, select Automatically identify affixes in the Run Stemmer dialog.
Comparing Word Lists
Step 1: Pairwise Comparison
Cog compares every language variety pairwise by:
- Aligning and computing phonetic similarity.
- Identifying regular sound correspondences.
- Identifying likely cognates.
Step 2: Perform Comparison
- Navigate to the Similarity Matrix view in the Compare area.
- Click on Compare all variety pairs in the tasks sidebar.
Step 3: Review Results
- Navigate to the Variety Pairs view to review comparison details, including cognates and sound correspondences.
Step 4: Refine Settings
- Navigate to the Settings view in the Compare area.
- Adjust settings under Alignment, Sound correspondence induction, and Likely cognate identification.
Analyzing Comparison Results
Step 1: Hierarchical Graph
- Display genetic relatedness using a Dendrogram or Tree.
Step 2: Network Graph
- View language varieties clustering based on similarity.
Step 3: Geographical Map
- Mark regions where language varieties are spoken and see how they relate geographically.
Step 4: Global Correspondences
- Visualize segment correspondences across all word lists.
By following these steps, you can use Cog to compare languages effectively, helping local communities thrive using their most valued languages. This guide provides a foundation for exploring Cog’s more advanced features, ensuring you make the most out of this powerful tool.
For more detailed information, refer to the original Cog documentation or contact support.