Katana VentraIP

Language island

A language island (a calque of German Sprachinsel; also language enclave, language pocket) is an enclave of a language that is surrounded by one or more different languages.[1] The term was introduced in 1847.[2] Many of them also have a distinct culture.

Not to be confused with language isolate.

Examples of language islands:

The predominantly French-speaking enclave of Brussels surrounded by Dutch-speaking area

The predominantly French-speaking enclave of Brussels surrounded by Dutch-speaking area

Language islands in Romania

Language islands in Romania

Enclave and exclave