focal area

noun

, Linguistics.

1. (in dialect geography) an area whose dialect has exerted influence on the dialects of surrounding areas, as reflected in a set of isoglosses more or less concentrically surrounding it.

Example Sentences

North Texas has been a focal area for the investigation into the riot, with more than a dozen area residents having been charged in the federal investigation.

From Salon

Inflation is “currently the main focal area for the markets,” Fawad Razaqzada of ThinkMarkets said in a report.

From Seattle Times

The Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation has its own focal area when it comes to business attraction: think manufacturing-type work, and service providers for whom at least 50% what they produce or provide is exported outside the region, Gartland said.

From Washington Times

“Taking away the ‘sagebrush focal area’ protection would be removing just one of multiple layers of protection,” said the spokeswoman, Heather Feeney.

From New York Times

While it is likely true that preparatory programs existed in the early ’90s, I don’t recall this being a huge focal area.

From New York Times