This project aims at publishing a large set of linguistic maps representative of the Azorean dialects’ specificities, within the broader framework of a Portuguese nation-wide atlas. The maps will focus on lexical, phonetic, phonological and morphophonological aspects of the dialects. Upon the completion of dialectal data collection in the Azores and the corresponding phonetic transcription, a mapping database has been established.

The survey was initially funded by Instituto Nacional de Investigação Científica (INIC) and later by Junta Nacional Científica e Tecnológica (JNICT) through the Social Sciences and Humanities Stimulus Program’s project entitled “Azores Linguistic and Ethnographic Atlas (ALEAÇ)” (PCSH/C/LIN/534/93 and PCSH/C/LIN/1183/95).

The material to be published was collected in seventeen localities in the archipelago which make up the Azorean contribution to the ALEPG - Linguistic and Ethnographic Atlas of Portugal and Galicia network.
 

 Its aim is the publication, in nine volumes of linguistic maps, of the material collected.

 Contents:

• Volume I      Animal-farming: cattle, sheep and  goat. Milk and dairy products. Pig and pig slaughter (matança).

• Volume II     Vineyards and wine making. Flax and wool crafts.

• Volume III    Corn production.  Flour milling and baking.

• Volume IV    Trees and their uses. Fruit-trees.

• Volume V     Kitchen-gardening. Weeds and herbs, flowering plants and shrubs.

• Volume VI    Farming and farming tools. Craftsmanship and professions.

• Volume VII   Livestock and fowl. Equidae and horse harness.

• Volume VIII  Wild animals. Birds, insects and reptiles.

• Volume IX    Sea animals and plants.

 Volume I and II are now published, whereas volume III is in press. The remaining volumes are ready for print at the publisher’s earliest convenience.


       


The novelty and relevance of this project’s database content has been acknowledged by the Centro de Conhecimento dos Açores, which provided online access to about 1100 maps and comments http://www.culturacores.azores.gov.pt/alea/.