Peter K. Austin and Julia Sallabank
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- May 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780197265765
- eISBN:
- 9780191771958
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- British Academy
- DOI:
- 10.5871/bacad/9780197265765.003.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Language Families
This introductory chapter gives some background on the loss of linguistic diversity worldwide and the increased interest in this field since the late twentieth century: in academia, among the ...
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This introductory chapter gives some background on the loss of linguistic diversity worldwide and the increased interest in this field since the late twentieth century: in academia, among the (Western) general public and in communities affected by language loss. A major factor in language shift is negative attitudes, which often become ‘naturalized’ through hegemonic ideologies of linguistic inferiority and inculcated beliefs regarding the value or utility of particular ways of speaking. The chapter discusses the nature of beliefs and ideologies as they relate to endangered languages, and some terminology relevant to the book, especially ‘speech communities’. The Introduction also provides an overview of the chapters in the book, highlighting recurring and emergent themes and key contributions that the collection makes to the field.Less
This introductory chapter gives some background on the loss of linguistic diversity worldwide and the increased interest in this field since the late twentieth century: in academia, among the (Western) general public and in communities affected by language loss. A major factor in language shift is negative attitudes, which often become ‘naturalized’ through hegemonic ideologies of linguistic inferiority and inculcated beliefs regarding the value or utility of particular ways of speaking. The chapter discusses the nature of beliefs and ideologies as they relate to endangered languages, and some terminology relevant to the book, especially ‘speech communities’. The Introduction also provides an overview of the chapters in the book, highlighting recurring and emergent themes and key contributions that the collection makes to the field.
Peter K. Austin and Julia Sallabank (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- May 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780197265765
- eISBN:
- 9780191771958
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- British Academy
- DOI:
- 10.5871/bacad/9780197265765.001.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Language Families
Over the few past centuries, and the last 65 years in particular, there has been a remarkable reduction in global linguistic diversity, as people abandon minority language varieties and switch to ...
More
Over the few past centuries, and the last 65 years in particular, there has been a remarkable reduction in global linguistic diversity, as people abandon minority language varieties and switch to larger, and what they perceive to be more economically, socially and politically powerful, regional or national languages. In addition, governments have been promoting standardised official languages for use in schooling, media, and bureaucracy, often under a rubric of linguistic unity supporting national unity. The last two decades have seen a significant increase in interest in minority languages and language shift, endangerment, and loss, in academia and among language speakers and the wider public. There has also been growing interest from anthropological linguists and sociolinguists in the study of language ideologies and beliefs about languages. This volume brings together chapters on theoretical and practical issues in these two areas, especially the views of linguists and communities about support for and revitalization of endangered languages. The chapters thus go straight to the heart of ideological bases of reactions to language endangerment among those most closely involved, drawing their discussions from case studies of how language ideologies and beliefs affect language practices (and vice versa). Most of the authors conduct collaborative community-based research and take a reflective engagement stance to investigate (potential) clashes in ideological perspectives. This is one of the key theoretical and practical issues in research on endangered languages, and so has important implications for language documentation, support and revitalization, as well as language policy at local, national and international levels.Less
Over the few past centuries, and the last 65 years in particular, there has been a remarkable reduction in global linguistic diversity, as people abandon minority language varieties and switch to larger, and what they perceive to be more economically, socially and politically powerful, regional or national languages. In addition, governments have been promoting standardised official languages for use in schooling, media, and bureaucracy, often under a rubric of linguistic unity supporting national unity. The last two decades have seen a significant increase in interest in minority languages and language shift, endangerment, and loss, in academia and among language speakers and the wider public. There has also been growing interest from anthropological linguists and sociolinguists in the study of language ideologies and beliefs about languages. This volume brings together chapters on theoretical and practical issues in these two areas, especially the views of linguists and communities about support for and revitalization of endangered languages. The chapters thus go straight to the heart of ideological bases of reactions to language endangerment among those most closely involved, drawing their discussions from case studies of how language ideologies and beliefs affect language practices (and vice versa). Most of the authors conduct collaborative community-based research and take a reflective engagement stance to investigate (potential) clashes in ideological perspectives. This is one of the key theoretical and practical issues in research on endangered languages, and so has important implications for language documentation, support and revitalization, as well as language policy at local, national and international levels.
Bernard Spolsky
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- May 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780197265765
- eISBN:
- 9780191771958
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- British Academy
- DOI:
- 10.5871/bacad/9780197265765.003.0019
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Language Families
Language beliefs and ideologies constitute a central component of a theory of language policy. The other interrelated but independent components are the language practices of the community being ...
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Language beliefs and ideologies constitute a central component of a theory of language policy. The other interrelated but independent components are the language practices of the community being studied and language management. This chapter explores the relationship between beliefs and management, especially with reference to efforts to manage (preserve or restore) language varieties that are felt to be under threat. It also summarizes the evidence presented in the other chapters in this volume.Less
Language beliefs and ideologies constitute a central component of a theory of language policy. The other interrelated but independent components are the language practices of the community being studied and language management. This chapter explores the relationship between beliefs and management, especially with reference to efforts to manage (preserve or restore) language varieties that are felt to be under threat. It also summarizes the evidence presented in the other chapters in this volume.
