isolate
Language isolates are languages that cannot be classified into larger language families with any other languages. Korean and Basque are two of the most commonly cited language isolates, but there are many others such as Ainu. in Asia, Sandawe in Africa, and Haida in the Americas.
A language isolate is a language that is unrelated to any others, which makes it the only language in its own language family. It is a natural language with no demonstrable genealogical (or "genetic") relationships—one that has not been demonstrated to descend from an ancestor common with any other language.One explanation for the existence of language isolates is that they might be the last remaining branch of a larger language family. The language possibly had relatives in the past but they have since disappeared without being documented. Another explanation for language isolates is that they developed in isolation from other languages. This explanation mostly applies to sign languages that have arisen independently of other spoken or signed languages.Some languages once seen as isolates may be reclassified as small families if their sister languages are judged to be sufficiently different from the standard to be seen as languages rather than dialects. Examples include Japanese, which is now considered to be in the Japonic language family with the Ryukyuan languages, and Georgian, the main language in the Kartvelian language family. There is a difference between language isolates and unclassified languages, but they can be difficult to differentiate when it comes to classifying extinct languages. If such efforts eventually do prove fruitful, a language previously considered an isolate may no longer be considered one, as happened with the Yanyuwa language of northern Australia, which has been placed in the Pama–Nyungan family. Since linguists do not always agree on whether a genetic relationship has been demonstrated, it is often disputed whether a language is an isolate.
View More On Wikipedia.org
A language isolate is a language that is unrelated to any others, which makes it the only language in its own language family. It is a natural language with no demonstrable genealogical (or "genetic") relationships—one that has not been demonstrated to descend from an ancestor common with any other language.One explanation for the existence of language isolates is that they might be the last remaining branch of a larger language family. The language possibly had relatives in the past but they have since disappeared without being documented. Another explanation for language isolates is that they developed in isolation from other languages. This explanation mostly applies to sign languages that have arisen independently of other spoken or signed languages.Some languages once seen as isolates may be reclassified as small families if their sister languages are judged to be sufficiently different from the standard to be seen as languages rather than dialects. Examples include Japanese, which is now considered to be in the Japonic language family with the Ryukyuan languages, and Georgian, the main language in the Kartvelian language family. There is a difference between language isolates and unclassified languages, but they can be difficult to differentiate when it comes to classifying extinct languages. If such efforts eventually do prove fruitful, a language previously considered an isolate may no longer be considered one, as happened with the Yanyuwa language of northern Australia, which has been placed in the Pama–Nyungan family. Since linguists do not always agree on whether a genetic relationship has been demonstrated, it is often disputed whether a language is an isolate.
View More On Wikipedia.org
Creating content since 2001. Untold Media.
Newest Plumbing Threads
-
Running copper pipework above / across a Gas boiler?
- Started by kristeva
- Replies: 2
-
Installing pipework to avoid airlocks
- Started by Matt0029
- Replies: 1
-
DUK Pipes for thermostat shower fitted at different heights
- Started by Delforkids
- Replies: 2
-
-
-
SPorcelanosa KRION Attica screen 1.2m, anyone?
- Started by Sebastian T
- Replies: 0
-
Cistern filling one third of the way
- Started by dwaindigital
- Replies: 3
-
Boiler losing pressure only on central heating- Started by SnosRap75
- Replies: 6
-
tanking. Is it ok to just seal everything with plastic.
- Started by Staggersandfalls
- Replies: 3
-
Pop quiz, does anyone recognise this radiator valve?
- Started by dimuc
- Replies: 4
-
SUsing coil to clear pipe leading to gutter
- Started by Sonya K
- Replies: 2
-
Replacing outdoor P-Trap Gully with Bottle Gully
- Started by DIwhYdidIstartThis
- Replies: 0
-
-
-