A language island (a calque of German Sprachinsel; also language enclave, language pocket) is an enclave of a language that is surrounded by one or more different languages. The term was introduced in 1847. Many speakers of these languages also have their own distinct culture. Examples of language islands:

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<Gallery class="center"> File:BelgieGemeenschappenkaart.svg|The predominantly French-speaking enclave of [Brussels](https://bliptext.com/articles/brussels) surrounded by Dutch-speaking area File:[Romania](https://bliptext.com/articles/romania) harta etnica 2011.PNG|Language islands in [Romania](https://bliptext.com/articles/romania) File:Лужицкие сербы на карте Германии.svg|[Sorbian language](https://bliptext.com/articles/sorbian-language) area in [Germany](https://bliptext.com/articles/germany) File:Banlamgu.svg|[Sanxiang](https://bliptext.com/articles/sanxiang-dialect) of [Zhongshan Min](https://bliptext.com/articles/zhongshan-min) can be seen in the west coast of the [Pearl River Delta](https://bliptext.com/articles/pearl-river-delta), far from the rest of [Southern Min](https://bliptext.com/articles/southern-min) </Gallery>