The term "speech islands" refers to areas or pockets where a particular dialect, language or accent is spoken. Some synonyms for this term include language enclaves, linguistic enclaves, linguistic islands, dialect zones, accent zones, language hotspots, language niches or speech communities. These areas may be isolated geographically, culturally, or sociolinguistically, and they provide a unique opportunity to study the development and evolution of language over time. Such areas can also be of political or cultural significance and can be emblematic of regional identity and cultural heritage.