Isolated Varieties

Abstract

This chapter explores the role of isolation as an important sociolinguistic variable in the evolution of language varieties. We outline three dimensions of isolation: geographic, social, and socio-psychological isolation. In insular settings, for example, geographic isolation is the most influential factor in the independent evolution of a variety, whereas in so-called Sprachinseln and immigrant communities, social and socio-psychological isolation may be more important. Moreover, the chapter discusses sociolinguistic changes in isolated communities, both in terms of retention of linguistic features as well as in local innovation. We argue that isolated communities and their individual histories lend themselves ideally to investigations in dialectology, contact linguistics, and diachronic processes of language change.

Dialect Formation in Isolated Communities

“…In earlier work (Schreier 2009, Schreier & Perez-Inofuentes 2014, I argued that isolation operates along three different strata: regional, social, and individual. Here I elaborate further on this idea.…”

“…In fact, there is reason to assume that they overlap, thus adding another layer of complexity. Schreier & Perez-Inofuentes (2014) discuss the case of so-called Sprachinseln 'language islands,' which have been well researched in German dialectology (see discussion in Schreier 2009). Sprachinseln emerge in geographically limited and often (but not necessarily) topographically uneven natural environments (hill ranges, etc.)…”

“…Drawing on Trudgill (1986) and the general literature on dialect contact, I begin with a discussion of some major NDF mechanisms and give examples from Englishes around the world. In a second step, elaborating on Schreier (2008) and Schreier & Perez-Inofuentes (2014), I outline and scrutinize the role of isolation as an extralinguistic variable. I then bring the two arguments together in a synthesis and outline a number of questions for a future research agenda.…”