Language and space

More about the book

The dimensions of time and space significantly influence the variability of human language. Traditionally, researchers focused on the “deepest” dialects to manage this complexity. However, the increasing mobility of speakers in industrialized and postindustrial societies, alongside advancements in communication technologies, has prompted a reevaluation of the connection between geographical place and cultural space, as well as the intrinsic link between language and territory. This work aims to comprehensively address these developments in a theoretically rich manner. The introductory volume explores the concept of space in linguistic contexts, the structure and dynamics of language spaces, and relevant research methodologies. A subsequent volume delves into the relationship between linguistic research and cartography, while later volumes systematically document research on the spatial dimensions of specific language groupings. Key features include extensive coverage of theory and methods, distinguishing it from handbooks focused solely on dialectology, areal linguistics, or language variation. This unique compilation brings together numerous distinguished scholars and experts in the field, contributing to a deeper understanding of language in relation to space.