Strategic Languages

Initiative

We built an entirely open-source geo-linguistic platform to identify where translation capacity can grow locally. By mapping overlapping languages, we shift focus from centralized institutions to natural multilingual networks.

Project TypeOpen Source Data PlatformETEN Innovation Lab

Spatial Queries Active

Timeline9 Months(Data Prep)

Team Size4 Specialists

OutcomeDecentralized

Stack

PythonPostGISLeaflet

The Problem

Global translation—academic, technical, or cultural—remains heavily centralized in English-speaking institutions. This creates significant bottlenecks and inefficiencies:

× Slows global progress by relying on a single central hub.
× Overlooks natural multilingual networks present in local regions.
× Fails to utilize "Strategic Languages" that already connect smaller groups.

The Solution

We developed an interactive LeafletJS map powered by spatial data to visualize language overlaps and opportunities.

Spatial Analysis

Processed demographic datasets using QGIS, PyQGIS, and Python.

Geometric Precision

Created precise polygons in PostgreSQL/PostGIS to calculate overlaps.

Interactive Exploration

Users can filter regions and view confidence levels for overlaps.

The Process

We leveraged a fully open-source stack to process massive datasets, ensuring no proprietary software was required for the final linguistic intelligence.

Dataset Processing (Python/QGIS)

Spatial Queries (PostGIS)

Polygon Calculation & Overlaps

LeafletJS Map Visualization

UI & Filter Logic

Accuracy & Confidence Testing

Export & Release

Results

Global Impact

The platform successfully demonstrated that global-scale linguistic intelligence can be built using purely open-source tools, removing financial barriers to translation strategy.

100%

Open Source

No proprietary software was used. By leveraging QGIS, PostGIS, and Leaflet, we proved that complex spatial analysis is accessible without expensive licensing.

Network Shift

Translation capacity has shifted from centralized English systems to multilingual local communities, enabling faster and more culturally accurate work.