How were the words in the database chosen?
ALBIS contains 1500 words, or more accurately, definitions. Choosing these words was not easy, because as far as possible the word had to be found in all languages.
That is why, for example, the word "snow" is not in the database, because many languages spoken in tropical areas do not have a word for snow.
Some words were not included because they are pretty much the same in all languages. For example, we did not include the word "beer", even though this is a wonderful substance, because it sounds very similar in the majority of languages.
As far as possible, we tried to include words that are useful and that would come in handy when conversing with someone. Needless to say, the choice is not necessarily perfect. Version 2.0 of ALBIS, due in 2007 or 2008, will revise the choice of words, and perhaps also add a degree of flexibility.
