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Language isolate

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Davidme~enwiki (talk | contribs) at 03:18, 14 March 2003 (Etruscan. Iberic). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

A Language isolate is a language with no clear relationship to or affinity with other languages. Unlike English, which is clearly related to other Germanic languages, or the various Chinese languages, isolates generally stand apart from their surrounding languages in terms of their phonology, grammar, and syntax.

Below is a list of known language isolates, along with notes on possible relations to other languages or language families:

LanguageComments
AinuEndangered language.
BasqueNo known relatives. Some linguists have attempted to show relationship with the Caucasian languages or Iberic.
BurushaskiLittle information available.
Etruscan
Iberic There are lexical coincidences with Basque, but it is hard to know if they are more than a result of vicinity.
KetNo known relatives. Some linguists have attempted to show relationship with Burushaski.
JapaneseVery likely related to Korean language, though not yet proven. Connections to the Altaic languages have also been proposed.
KoreanVery likely related to Japanese language, though not yet proven. Connections to the Altaic languages have also been proposed.
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