ISOGLOSS is an important concept in linguistics that refers to a geographic boundary line where a particular linguistic feature changes. It can be used to refer to a boundary between dialects, languages, or other varieties of language. This paper will discuss the concept of ISOGLOSS in more detail and provide references to relevant research.
The term ISOGLOSS was first used by the German linguist Hans Kurath in 1930 to describe the boundary between two dialects of German. Since then, the concept of ISOGLOSS has been used to refer to boundaries between different varieties of language. It is typically used to describe boundaries between dialects, such as those between British and American English, or between different languages, such as those between English and French. The concept of ISOGLOSS can also be used to refer to boundaries between different levels of language use, such as between formal and informal language.
ISOGLOSS can be used to study language change over time. It can help linguists identify areas where language has shifted and provide evidence of how languages have evolved over time. Additionally, it can be used to study language contact and the influence of other languages on a particular dialect or language. For example, the presence of a French ISOGLOSS in certain parts of the United States can provide evidence of the impact of French on the English spoken in those areas.
ISOGLOSS can also be used to study language variation and language diversity. The concept is particularly useful for studying dialects, which are often geographically separated and can vary significantly from one area to the next. By looking at the boundary lines between dialects, linguists can identify and describe the differences between them.
Overall, ISOGLOSS is an important concept in linguistics that has been used to refer to boundaries between different varieties of language. It can be used to study language change, contact, variation, and diversity, and can help linguists better understand how languages have evolved over time.
References
Kurath, H. (1930). Isoglossen im Englischen. Zeitschrift für englische Philologie, 57(1), 1-14.
Labov, W. (1966). The Social Stratification of English in New York City. Washington, DC: Center for Applied Linguistics.
Sankoff, G., & Blondeau, H. (2007). Language contact and language change: Linguistic and social factors. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.