Geography and linguistics: Histories, entanglements and departures

Abstract

AbstractLinguistic geography has been considered a part, if not a sub‐discipline, of linguistics rather than geography. This was not always the case. In the late 19th century geography was integral to linguistic science through the practice of language surveying and production of linguistic maps and atlases. By the early 20th century language became a geopolitical concern in Europe during and after the First World War. This paper argues that historical geography can make an important intervention in recovering the entwined yet forgotten histories of linguistics and geography and explain the roots of geography's indifference to linguistic study which has, among many issues, contributed to the marginalisation of other languages in favour of English. This paper traces the history of geography's association with language as a consequence of empire, colonialism and nationalism and considers the reasons for their divergence and why geography continues to have a significant role in linguistics but not vice‐versa. This paper concludes by reflecting on what historical geography brings to linguistic geography and how it can write about a significant, yet often forgotten, geographical tradition.