The primary aim of REDE is the first-ever systematic comprehensive description of the modern regional languages of German. This aim can be broken down into two sub-goals:

1. The establishment of a research-centered information system about modern German regional languages
2. The first survey and analysis of the variation-linguistic structure and dynamics of the modern German regional languages.

A complex and differentiated task spectrum results from the primary aim of REDE. They have a transparent structure since these research tasks can be derived from the theoretical aims of REDE. This structure is yielded by the object of study itself, the state of research, research desiderata, and research possibilities. The tasks can be assigned to seven areas of responsibility. Sub-goal 1 has five, and sub-goal 2 has two areas of responsibility.

In particular, the areas of responsibility for sub-goal 1, the establishment of an information system, include

• Area I: integrating linguistic data and research results on the modern German regional languages into a central database
• Area II: linking to other external regional linguistic databases
• Area III: creating and maintaining an interactive online database for regional linguistic research literature
• Area IV: (further) developing a graphical user interface
• Area V: establishing a comprehensive service function for the scientific community and the general public

In particular, the areas of responsibility for sub-goal 2, first survey and analysis of the variation-linguistic structure and dynamics of the regional languages, include

• Area VI: the first-ever survey and analysis of the variation-linguistic structure and dynamics of the modern German regional languages
• Area VII: linguistic dynamics in time, the development of the modern German regional languages.

The areas of responsibility for both sub-goals are interlinked as the data collected for sub-goal 2 will be integrated into the information system and will be available for analysis. On the other hand, a comparison with other data that is available via the system (sub-goal 1) will allow for a scientifically founded linguistic-dynamic analysis of the data collected in sub-goal 2.

Six research groups are currently responsible for the completion of the project aims.

• Data Integration Maps
• Data Integration Audio
• System developement
• Bibliographiy
• Data Surveys and Analyses
• Spatial Structures