The Project


California is a diverse state, with vastly different ecosystems and cultural regions. Most communities in California are diverse as well, and we want to make a record of the different ways of being a Californian. We're interested in how Californians see their communities, their regions, and the rest of the state. And we're interested in how these perceptions show up in ways of speaking across the state.

We are visiting a number of distinctive communities across the state, capturing Californians' experience in their own words. We do recorded interviews with people who have spent their entire lives in their community, so we can get a clear picture not only of how things are now, but of how things have changed as well.

We've been on pause thanks to COVID, but we'll be back soon.

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Some of our Press Coverage


Ledger Dispatch (Amador & Calaveras) September 4, 2019
The Sun (Redlands) August 31, 2018
KMUD News September14, 2017
North Coast Journal September 13, 2017
Times Standard September 12, 2017
Lost Coast Outpost September 12, 2017
KSBW News September 18, 2016
The Californian September 2, 2016
SacramentoBee September 6, 2014
KPCC Take Two January 17, 2013
KQED Forum December 19, 2012
KQED California Report November 23-25, 2012
Stanford Report August 6, 2012