Geolinguistics
Geolinguistics (Hindi: भूभाषाविज्ञान) is regarded by some as a specific area within linguistics, while others see it as an extension of language geography, which itself is a subfield of human geography. When viewed as a linguistic discipline, geolinguistics can be approached from various linguistic angles, leading to significant research implications. The study of geolinguistics encompasses both dialectology and the exploration of linguistic features across different regions.
In one scholarly tradition that considers geolinguistics part of linguistics, there is a clear acknowledgment of how map-making contributes to linguistic studies. Terms such as dialect geography, language geography, and linguistic geography are often used interchangeably with geolinguistics. This correlation is evident in multiple languages, including Chinese, French, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish. In German, alongside the association of geolinguistics with Sprachgeographie (language geography) and Dialektgeographie (dialect geography), the term Areallinguistik (areal linguistics) is also used synonymously.
A different linguistic perspective is represented by The American Society of Geolinguistics, which defines geolinguistics as “an academic field focused on analysing the geographical aspects, distribution, and structure of language varieties over time, whether considered in isolation or in interaction and conflict with each other.” This concept was initially proposed by Mario Pei, who envisioned it as a branch of linguistics dedicated to conducting research aimed at addressing real-world language issues, allowing for interdisciplinary approaches.
Additionally, the Society's mission statement emphasises the importance of collecting and sharing "current knowledge about the world’s languages, dialects, and other varieties in relation to their distribution and usage, their practical significance, perceived utility, and actual accessibility from economic, political, and cultural perspectives. It also considers their genetic, historical, and geographical connections, as well as their presence in spoken and written forms." The Society expresses an interest in areas such as "linguistic geography, languages in contact and conflict, language planning and policy, language education, and broader aspects of sociolinguistics".
Two notable geolinguistic organisations highlight the traditional significance that dialectologists place on language map-making as a methodological tool for linguistic analysis. These are the Asian Geolinguistic Society based in Japan and, in Europe, The International Society for Dialectology and Geolinguistics.