What is contact linguistics?

Contact linguistics is a subfield of linguistics that studies the interactions between languages that come into contact. It explores how languages influence each other when speakers of different languages interact, leading to linguistic changes and adaptations. Contact linguistics examines phenomena such as language borrowing, code-switching, and the development of pidgins and creoles. It provides insights into the dynamics of language contact in various sociolinguistic contexts and contributes to our understanding of language evolution and diversity.