Project WiKo

Variability in present-day Brandenburgian (VariBra)

PI(s): Prof. Dr. Malte Zimmermann & Prof. Dr. Martin Pfeiffer

Brandenburgian - what exactly is that? And does anyone actually speak it anymore? The science communication project "Variability in Contemporary Brandenburgish" (VariBra) aims to answer this question. The project comprises both a citizen science component and an outreach component:

The VariBra citizen science component aims to involve 9th and 10th-grade students from selected schools in Brandenburg as citizen scientists in the study of dialectal variation across the region. To this end, students are sensitized to the linguistic characteristics of Brandenburgish and empowered to independently collect digital recordings of spoken language from their families and social circles. The results of their work as citizen scientists are made publicly accessible online via an interactive map featuring geolocated linguistic data.

Working alongside teachers, we are developing flexible teaching materials and scenarios. This allows topics embedded in the curriculum - such as language variation, language change, and internal multilingualism - to be explored with students not only in German classes but potentially across subjects, for instance in collaboration with history or geography. Engaging with regional language, dialect, and appropriate communicative usage fosters a deeper awareness of language and supports continuous language education for all students.

Furthermore, participation in VariBra offers transparency regarding the details of linguistic research and demonstrates how students can act as equal research partners in conducting the project's data collection.

Are you a teacher interested in participating in VariBra? Please feel free to contact us here.

The outreach component aims to share knowledge about linguistic variation in Brandenburg through a variety of science communication formats, such as science slams, lectures, participation in special event days, and similar activities. Among other things, the development of a play is intended to raise awareness of the history and variability of the Brandenburg dialect in an entertaining way.

Members

Talks