Margaret Florey (ed.)
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- May 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199544547
- eISBN:
- 9780191720260
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199544547.001.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Sociolinguistics / Anthropological Linguistics
This book explores challenges to linguistic vitality confronting many minority languages in the highly diverse and geographically far-flung Austronesian language family. The contributions bring ...
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This book explores challenges to linguistic vitality confronting many minority languages in the highly diverse and geographically far-flung Austronesian language family. The contributions bring together Indigenous language activists and academic researchers with a long-standing commitment to language documentation in Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, East Timor, and Vanuatu. Working in partnership with Indigenous communities, the research in this book is the forefront of the development of innovative capacity building strategies and is part of cutting edge, practical solutions for language revitalization.Less
This book explores challenges to linguistic vitality confronting many minority languages in the highly diverse and geographically far-flung Austronesian language family. The contributions bring together Indigenous language activists and academic researchers with a long-standing commitment to language documentation in Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, East Timor, and Vanuatu. Working in partnership with Indigenous communities, the research in this book is the forefront of the development of innovative capacity building strategies and is part of cutting edge, practical solutions for language revitalization.
Alan Patten
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691159379
- eISBN:
- 9781400850433
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691159379.003.0006
- Subject:
- Political Science, Political Theory
This chapter explores the justification of minority language rights. It argues that equal recognition ought to play a key role in thinking about the justification of minority language rights, and ...
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This chapter explores the justification of minority language rights. It argues that equal recognition ought to play a key role in thinking about the justification of minority language rights, and that disputes about language rights ought to be examined from the perspective of what was called “full liberal proceduralism.” From this perspective, the mere fact that some minority language is doing poorly does not by itself ground a legitimate complaint of injustice by speakers of that language. But minority speakers do have a complaint if their language fares poorly in a context in which it is disfavored by public institutions. There is no right to language preservation, but there is a strong, pro tanto claim for equal recognition, a claim that can be considered a right in the absence of defeating countervailing considerations.Less
This chapter explores the justification of minority language rights. It argues that equal recognition ought to play a key role in thinking about the justification of minority language rights, and that disputes about language rights ought to be examined from the perspective of what was called “full liberal proceduralism.” From this perspective, the mere fact that some minority language is doing poorly does not by itself ground a legitimate complaint of injustice by speakers of that language. But minority speakers do have a complaint if their language fares poorly in a context in which it is disfavored by public institutions. There is no right to language preservation, but there is a strong, pro tanto claim for equal recognition, a claim that can be considered a right in the absence of defeating countervailing considerations.
Lionel Wee
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- January 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199737437
- eISBN:
- 9780199827107
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199737437.003.0003
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Sociolinguistics / Anthropological Linguistics
This chapter traces three identifiably distinct groups or movements associated with the concept of language rights and reviews the differences and similarities between these groups. Despite their ...
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This chapter traces three identifiably distinct groups or movements associated with the concept of language rights and reviews the differences and similarities between these groups. Despite their differences, the three movements share a particular conception of language, one that assumes the existence of neat and clear boundaries between languages. Also, for all three movements, the prototypical cases motivating the appeal to language rights involve speakers of ethnic minority languages. These observations serve to delineate the conceptual and empirical scope of language rights.Less
This chapter traces three identifiably distinct groups or movements associated with the concept of language rights and reviews the differences and similarities between these groups. Despite their differences, the three movements share a particular conception of language, one that assumes the existence of neat and clear boundaries between languages. Also, for all three movements, the prototypical cases motivating the appeal to language rights involve speakers of ethnic minority languages. These observations serve to delineate the conceptual and empirical scope of language rights.
Peter Mackridge
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- May 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199214426
- eISBN:
- 9780191706721
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199214426.003.0009
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Sociolinguistics / Anthropological Linguistics, Psycholinguistics / Neurolinguistics / Cognitive Linguistics
This period saw the intensification of political polarizations in Greece. It included the alternation between republican and monarchist regimes and between democratic and dictatorial governments, but ...
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This period saw the intensification of political polarizations in Greece. It included the alternation between republican and monarchist regimes and between democratic and dictatorial governments, but also the occupation of Greece by the Axis powers in the Second World War and the period immediately following civil war. Yet this period ended with the establishment of the first truly stable democratic regime in Greece's history. This chapter charts the impact of politics on the language controversy and follows the practical progress of the demoticist movement during the inter-war period. After an interlude presenting the treatment of speakers of minority languages, the chapter goes on to narrate developments in the language debate during the Occupation, civil war, and Cold War periods. Finally, an account is given of developments that took place in the early years of the post-1974 democratic regime, when katharevousa was replaced by demotic for all official purposes.Less
This period saw the intensification of political polarizations in Greece. It included the alternation between republican and monarchist regimes and between democratic and dictatorial governments, but also the occupation of Greece by the Axis powers in the Second World War and the period immediately following civil war. Yet this period ended with the establishment of the first truly stable democratic regime in Greece's history. This chapter charts the impact of politics on the language controversy and follows the practical progress of the demoticist movement during the inter-war period. After an interlude presenting the treatment of speakers of minority languages, the chapter goes on to narrate developments in the language debate during the Occupation, civil war, and Cold War periods. Finally, an account is given of developments that took place in the early years of the post-1974 democratic regime, when katharevousa was replaced by demotic for all official purposes.
Nancy C. Dorian
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- September 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780195385939
- eISBN:
- 9780199870141
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195385939.001.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Sociolinguistics / Anthropological Linguistics
Linguistic variation has been studied primarily in communities with the dominant social organization of our time: ethnic diversity, socioeconomic stratification, and a population size precluding ...
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Linguistic variation has been studied primarily in communities with the dominant social organization of our time: ethnic diversity, socioeconomic stratification, and a population size precluding community‐wide face‐to‐face interaction. In such communities literacy introduces extra‐community linguistic norms, and variation correlates with ethnicity and class. This study investigates variation in the ancestral language of a population with a very different social structure: small size, dense kinship ties, common occupation, absence of social stratification. Their Gaelic shows a high level of socially neutral individual variation, with variants originating in settlement‐period dialect mixture; a subsequent history of social isolation, endogamy, and regular face‐to‐face interaction eliminated any need for linguistic accommodation, while social homogeneity and absence of extra‐community norms permitted the variants to remain socially neutral. Examination of the theoretical assumptions and established methodologies prevailing in dialectology and descriptive linguistics offers a number of explanations for delayed recognition of linguistic variation unrelated to social class or other social sub‐groupings. Detailed examination of the social structure of one community offers explanations for the strikingly divergent usage of close kin and age‐mates. Reports of similar variation phenomena in locations with similar social‐setting and social‐organization features (minority‐language pockets in Ireland, Russia, Norway, Canada, and Cameroon) permit the recognition of factors that contribute to the emergence and persistence of socially neutral inter‐speaker and intra‐speaker variation. Facets of language use related to social structure remain to be investigated in communities with still other forms of social organization before the few communities that represent them disappear altogether.Less
Linguistic variation has been studied primarily in communities with the dominant social organization of our time: ethnic diversity, socioeconomic stratification, and a population size precluding community‐wide face‐to‐face interaction. In such communities literacy introduces extra‐community linguistic norms, and variation correlates with ethnicity and class. This study investigates variation in the ancestral language of a population with a very different social structure: small size, dense kinship ties, common occupation, absence of social stratification. Their Gaelic shows a high level of socially neutral individual variation, with variants originating in settlement‐period dialect mixture; a subsequent history of social isolation, endogamy, and regular face‐to‐face interaction eliminated any need for linguistic accommodation, while social homogeneity and absence of extra‐community norms permitted the variants to remain socially neutral. Examination of the theoretical assumptions and established methodologies prevailing in dialectology and descriptive linguistics offers a number of explanations for delayed recognition of linguistic variation unrelated to social class or other social sub‐groupings. Detailed examination of the social structure of one community offers explanations for the strikingly divergent usage of close kin and age‐mates. Reports of similar variation phenomena in locations with similar social‐setting and social‐organization features (minority‐language pockets in Ireland, Russia, Norway, Canada, and Cameroon) permit the recognition of factors that contribute to the emergence and persistence of socially neutral inter‐speaker and intra‐speaker variation. Facets of language use related to social structure remain to be investigated in communities with still other forms of social organization before the few communities that represent them disappear altogether.
Agnes S. L. Lam
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- May 2013
- ISBN:
- 9789622097506
- eISBN:
- 9789888180271
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Hong Kong University Press
- DOI:
- 10.5790/hongkong/9789622097506.003.0004
- Subject:
- Education, Educational Policy and Politics
In this chapter, the policy periods were first identified. Linguistic work on describing minority languages was then described in greater detail. To date, there are still twenty-four ethnic groups ...
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In this chapter, the policy periods were first identified. Linguistic work on describing minority languages was then described in greater detail. To date, there are still twenty-four ethnic groups without their own officially recognized scripts. In the light of this development work on minority language scripts, and hence the possibility or impossibility of education in minority languages, some preliminary results from a survey of sixty minority learners were analyzed. Against this general picture, seven case histories of learners from different ethnic groups - the Zhuangs, the Mans, the Yaos, the Mulaos, the Huis, the Miaos and the Dongs - were presented. They represent the educationally more successful minority learners. Their very success underscores the linguistic and cultural dilemma faced by minority learners in China which is elucidated further in this chapter. While the government wishes to protect minority languages and to provide education in minority languages as a matter of policy and ideology, resourcing issues aside, it also has the duty to offer minority learners opportunities in the mainstream national life, opportunities which are largely available mostly in Chinese as a matter of everyday reality.Less
In this chapter, the policy periods were first identified. Linguistic work on describing minority languages was then described in greater detail. To date, there are still twenty-four ethnic groups without their own officially recognized scripts. In the light of this development work on minority language scripts, and hence the possibility or impossibility of education in minority languages, some preliminary results from a survey of sixty minority learners were analyzed. Against this general picture, seven case histories of learners from different ethnic groups - the Zhuangs, the Mans, the Yaos, the Mulaos, the Huis, the Miaos and the Dongs - were presented. They represent the educationally more successful minority learners. Their very success underscores the linguistic and cultural dilemma faced by minority learners in China which is elucidated further in this chapter. While the government wishes to protect minority languages and to provide education in minority languages as a matter of policy and ideology, resourcing issues aside, it also has the duty to offer minority learners opportunities in the mainstream national life, opportunities which are largely available mostly in Chinese as a matter of everyday reality.
Agnes S.L. Lam
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- May 2013
- ISBN:
- 9789622097506
- eISBN:
- 9789888180271
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Hong Kong University Press
- DOI:
- 10.5790/hongkong/9789622097506.001.0001
- Subject:
- Education, Educational Policy and Politics
This book is unprecedented as a comprehensive study of the multilingual circumstances in China. It tracks policy changes in the learning of Chinese, foreign languages and minority ethnic languages in ...
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This book is unprecedented as a comprehensive study of the multilingual circumstances in China. It tracks policy changes in the learning of Chinese, foreign languages and minority ethnic languages in China since the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949. On the basis of survey and interview data, the experiences of different age cohorts of learners are presented as ‘windows’ to the realities of language education policy implementation over the last half century. The effects of political changes, language backgrounds and various motivations for learning, at both the national and individual levels, are vividly presented in this composite story of China and learners in China.Less
This book is unprecedented as a comprehensive study of the multilingual circumstances in China. It tracks policy changes in the learning of Chinese, foreign languages and minority ethnic languages in China since the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949. On the basis of survey and interview data, the experiences of different age cohorts of learners are presented as ‘windows’ to the realities of language education policy implementation over the last half century. The effects of political changes, language backgrounds and various motivations for learning, at both the national and individual levels, are vividly presented in this composite story of China and learners in China.
Tony Crowley
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780199273430
- eISBN:
- 9780191706202
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199273430.003.0007
- Subject:
- Literature, World Literature
This chapter examines the history of the languages of Ireland after Partition. In Ireland, the policies of the Gaelic League and other revivalists were implemented by the Government in education and ...
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This chapter examines the history of the languages of Ireland after Partition. In Ireland, the policies of the Gaelic League and other revivalists were implemented by the Government in education and the civil service, the language was enshrined in the constitution, and the net result was a decline in the use of Gaelic throughout the 20th century and the almost complete dominance of English in civil, public, and everyday life. In Northern Ireland, Gaelic was effectively banned because of its association with Irish nationalism and more or less completely disappeared. However, over the past twenty years or so a revival of Gaelic has taken place — both North and South of the border — and the linguistic situation is now changing. The chapter traces the emergence of recent legislation in the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland designed to protect not only the rights of Gaelic speakers, but also those of the users of other languages, including in the case of Northern Ireland, Ulster-Scots — a linguistic form which has gained prominence only very recently — and minority languages.Less
This chapter examines the history of the languages of Ireland after Partition. In Ireland, the policies of the Gaelic League and other revivalists were implemented by the Government in education and the civil service, the language was enshrined in the constitution, and the net result was a decline in the use of Gaelic throughout the 20th century and the almost complete dominance of English in civil, public, and everyday life. In Northern Ireland, Gaelic was effectively banned because of its association with Irish nationalism and more or less completely disappeared. However, over the past twenty years or so a revival of Gaelic has taken place — both North and South of the border — and the linguistic situation is now changing. The chapter traces the emergence of recent legislation in the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland designed to protect not only the rights of Gaelic speakers, but also those of the users of other languages, including in the case of Northern Ireland, Ulster-Scots — a linguistic form which has gained prominence only very recently — and minority languages.
Peter Mackridge
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- May 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199214426
- eISBN:
- 9780191706721
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199214426.003.0006
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Sociolinguistics / Anthropological Linguistics, Psycholinguistics / Neurolinguistics / Cognitive Linguistics
The period 1830-1880 was one of comparative calm in the language controversy. Yet it was at this time that the controversy came to be seen as a contest between two varieties: katharevousa and ...
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The period 1830-1880 was one of comparative calm in the language controversy. Yet it was at this time that the controversy came to be seen as a contest between two varieties: katharevousa and demotic. The sections of this chapter alternate their focus between the development of written language use in Athens, and the literary production and the language debate in the British-protected Ionian Islands. Special emphasis is placed on the cultural and linguistic repercussions of the historically crucial decade of the 1850s. More is said about the relationship between Greek-speakers and the speakers of other languages at this time. Then attention turns to the continuing arguments in favour of the written use of the spoken language in the 1870s, and finally to the outburst of publications on national history, national folklore, and the history of Greek language and literature that paved the way for the demoticist movement.Less
The period 1830-1880 was one of comparative calm in the language controversy. Yet it was at this time that the controversy came to be seen as a contest between two varieties: katharevousa and demotic. The sections of this chapter alternate their focus between the development of written language use in Athens, and the literary production and the language debate in the British-protected Ionian Islands. Special emphasis is placed on the cultural and linguistic repercussions of the historically crucial decade of the 1850s. More is said about the relationship between Greek-speakers and the speakers of other languages at this time. Then attention turns to the continuing arguments in favour of the written use of the spoken language in the 1870s, and finally to the outburst of publications on national history, national folklore, and the history of Greek language and literature that paved the way for the demoticist movement.
Tadhg Ó hIfearnáin
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- May 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780197265765
- eISBN:
- 9780191771958
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- British Academy
- DOI:
- 10.5871/bacad/9780197265765.003.0002
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Language Families
Since gaining independence in 1922, the Irish Government’s pro-Irish language policy has gone through several stages of development, moving from openly coercive maintenance strategies in designated ...
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Since gaining independence in 1922, the Irish Government’s pro-Irish language policy has gone through several stages of development, moving from openly coercive maintenance strategies in designated areas (Gaeltacht) and obligatory Irish-medium schooling throughout the country, to a contemporary stance where the state sees Irish speakers as customers who require services. Policy for the majority Anglophone population is now based on a heritage role for Irish. Despite the evolution of state and community policies, some early ideological stances have remained at the core of decision-making. In the first decade of the twenty-first century the state has further reassessed its positions. The power of ideologically driven state language policy has inevitably produced mismatches which may paradoxically have further endangered the future of Irish as a community language. This chapter focuses on the stance of the monolingual English-speaking minority and inactive Irish speakers in Gaeltacht regions.Less
Since gaining independence in 1922, the Irish Government’s pro-Irish language policy has gone through several stages of development, moving from openly coercive maintenance strategies in designated areas (Gaeltacht) and obligatory Irish-medium schooling throughout the country, to a contemporary stance where the state sees Irish speakers as customers who require services. Policy for the majority Anglophone population is now based on a heritage role for Irish. Despite the evolution of state and community policies, some early ideological stances have remained at the core of decision-making. In the first decade of the twenty-first century the state has further reassessed its positions. The power of ideologically driven state language policy has inevitably produced mismatches which may paradoxically have further endangered the future of Irish as a community language. This chapter focuses on the stance of the monolingual English-speaking minority and inactive Irish speakers in Gaeltacht regions.
Olimpia Rasom
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- May 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780197265765
- eISBN:
- 9780191771958
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- British Academy
- DOI:
- 10.5871/bacad/9780197265765.003.0004
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Language Families
This chapter investigates the linguistic beliefs and ideologies of Ladin women in the Dolomites in Italy. The reasons that lead women to speak their heritage language in a progressively globalized ...
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This chapter investigates the linguistic beliefs and ideologies of Ladin women in the Dolomites in Italy. The reasons that lead women to speak their heritage language in a progressively globalized Europe were investigated, to identify the role of ideologies about language and culture in shaping personal views. Focus groups of no more than seven women per group allowed the creation of a constructive setting where each woman could express her own ideas, which progressively evolved as other women’s opinions were heard. Life history interviews were used to investigate the ideologies of women aged 70 and over. Results suggest that reflection may lead to greater awareness of what it means to speak the ‘mother tongue’ and the consequent implications for an endangered minority language. Reflecting together makes women aware of their own skills and fosters willingness to promote their language and culture.Less
This chapter investigates the linguistic beliefs and ideologies of Ladin women in the Dolomites in Italy. The reasons that lead women to speak their heritage language in a progressively globalized Europe were investigated, to identify the role of ideologies about language and culture in shaping personal views. Focus groups of no more than seven women per group allowed the creation of a constructive setting where each woman could express her own ideas, which progressively evolved as other women’s opinions were heard. Life history interviews were used to investigate the ideologies of women aged 70 and over. Results suggest that reflection may lead to greater awareness of what it means to speak the ‘mother tongue’ and the consequent implications for an endangered minority language. Reflecting together makes women aware of their own skills and fosters willingness to promote their language and culture.
Michael Newcity
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- January 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780748668458
- eISBN:
- 9780748697106
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Edinburgh University Press
- DOI:
- 10.3366/edinburgh/9780748668458.003.0002
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Historical Linguistics
The chapter analyses how the applicable international law - primarily treaties adopted under the auspices of the Council of Europe -- affects the Russian-speaking minorities in the post-Soviet ...
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The chapter analyses how the applicable international law - primarily treaties adopted under the auspices of the Council of Europe -- affects the Russian-speaking minorities in the post-Soviet countries. In particular, the experiences of two former Soviet republics - Armenia and Latvia - are examined as case studies. The study illustrates different ways in which the international legal regime impacts on linguistic minorities in the new states and provides examples from a number of cases decided in the European Court of Human Rights.Less
The chapter analyses how the applicable international law - primarily treaties adopted under the auspices of the Council of Europe -- affects the Russian-speaking minorities in the post-Soviet countries. In particular, the experiences of two former Soviet republics - Armenia and Latvia - are examined as case studies. The study illustrates different ways in which the international legal regime impacts on linguistic minorities in the new states and provides examples from a number of cases decided in the European Court of Human Rights.
Wilson McLeod
- Published in print:
- 2020
- Published Online:
- May 2021
- ISBN:
- 9781474462396
- eISBN:
- 9781474491396
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Edinburgh University Press
- DOI:
- 10.3366/edinburgh/9781474462396.003.0008
- Subject:
- Society and Culture, Scottish Studies
This chapter focuses on the long and ultimately successful campaigns for Gaelic language legislation and a dedicated Gaelic television service between 1997 and 2005. The opening of the Scottish ...
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This chapter focuses on the long and ultimately successful campaigns for Gaelic language legislation and a dedicated Gaelic television service between 1997 and 2005. The opening of the Scottish Parliament in 1999 ushered in a new political era in Scotland, and this brought opportunities for more focused policy-making in relation to Gaelic. The government initially resisted calls for Gaelic language legislation but ultimately relented, so that the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005, was enacted in 2005. Proposals for a Gaelic television service took several years to come to fruition due to political and financial constraints, but agreement was ultimately reached to develop the digital service BBC ALBA. The first dedicated Gaelic school opened in Glasgow in 1999, and the presence of Gaelic in the linguistic landscape expanded, as bilingual signage was authorised for wider use.Less
This chapter focuses on the long and ultimately successful campaigns for Gaelic language legislation and a dedicated Gaelic television service between 1997 and 2005. The opening of the Scottish Parliament in 1999 ushered in a new political era in Scotland, and this brought opportunities for more focused policy-making in relation to Gaelic. The government initially resisted calls for Gaelic language legislation but ultimately relented, so that the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005, was enacted in 2005. Proposals for a Gaelic television service took several years to come to fruition due to political and financial constraints, but agreement was ultimately reached to develop the digital service BBC ALBA. The first dedicated Gaelic school opened in Glasgow in 1999, and the presence of Gaelic in the linguistic landscape expanded, as bilingual signage was authorised for wider use.
Sari Pietikainen and Helen Kelly-Holmes (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- May 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780199945177
- eISBN:
- 9780199333172
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199945177.001.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Sociolinguistics / Anthropological Linguistics
This volume examines the complexities of the processes and practices of multilingualism in a wide range of economic, cultural, political and physical peripheral sites and spaces (tourism, education, ...
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This volume examines the complexities of the processes and practices of multilingualism in a wide range of economic, cultural, political and physical peripheral sites and spaces (tourism, education, indigenous and minority language rights and politics, gender relations, marketing, airports) in different geographic locations (Austria, Canada, Corsica, Catalonia, Finland, Ireland, Patagonia, Spain, Slovenia, U.S.A., Wales). Using approaches that draw on sociolinguistics, discourse studies and ethnography, different peripheral indigenous and minority language sites varying from Arctic territories to a busy airport in Wales are examined. The volume brings together these different contexts and approaches in order to explore what kind of possible commonalities and differences might arise from processes of peripheralizing and centralising in multilingual indigenous and minority language sites. The perspective opens up new ways of thinking and theorising about multilingualism and about cores and peripheries, and necessarily involves a challenge to existing notions of straightforward power relations (e.g. majority-minority; centre-periphery etc.). It questions assumptions about peripheries as less fortunate counterparts to prosperous centres, and suggests instead that peripheries are diverse, multilingual spaces, constructed by but, crucially, constitutive to cores.Less
This volume examines the complexities of the processes and practices of multilingualism in a wide range of economic, cultural, political and physical peripheral sites and spaces (tourism, education, indigenous and minority language rights and politics, gender relations, marketing, airports) in different geographic locations (Austria, Canada, Corsica, Catalonia, Finland, Ireland, Patagonia, Spain, Slovenia, U.S.A., Wales). Using approaches that draw on sociolinguistics, discourse studies and ethnography, different peripheral indigenous and minority language sites varying from Arctic territories to a busy airport in Wales are examined. The volume brings together these different contexts and approaches in order to explore what kind of possible commonalities and differences might arise from processes of peripheralizing and centralising in multilingual indigenous and minority language sites. The perspective opens up new ways of thinking and theorising about multilingualism and about cores and peripheries, and necessarily involves a challenge to existing notions of straightforward power relations (e.g. majority-minority; centre-periphery etc.). It questions assumptions about peripheries as less fortunate counterparts to prosperous centres, and suggests instead that peripheries are diverse, multilingual spaces, constructed by but, crucially, constitutive to cores.
Wilson McLeod
- Published in print:
- 2020
- Published Online:
- May 2021
- ISBN:
- 9781474462396
- eISBN:
- 9781474491396
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Edinburgh University Press
- DOI:
- 10.3366/edinburgh/9781474462396.003.0007
- Subject:
- Society and Culture, Scottish Studies
This chapter considers the period from 1975 to 1997, when significant government support for Gaelic development was granted for the first time and the basis of a modern language planning regime for ...
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This chapter considers the period from 1975 to 1997, when significant government support for Gaelic development was granted for the first time and the basis of a modern language planning regime for Gaelic began to emerge, particularly in relation to education, media and strategic language development. The creation of a new local authority for the Western Isles, Comhairle nan Eilean, led to the implementation of a bilingual policy for council operations, a major bilingual education project and a range of Gaelic-related community activities. In 1984 the first dedicated Gaelic language agency, Comunn na Gàidhlig was established, bringing a new energy and strategic focus to Gaelic development. Gaelic-medium immersion education began in 1985 and rolled out to many parts of Scotland. Provision for Gaelic television and radio increased very dramatically, particularly after a successful campaign led to a major injection of government funding from 1992 onwards.Less
This chapter considers the period from 1975 to 1997, when significant government support for Gaelic development was granted for the first time and the basis of a modern language planning regime for Gaelic began to emerge, particularly in relation to education, media and strategic language development. The creation of a new local authority for the Western Isles, Comhairle nan Eilean, led to the implementation of a bilingual policy for council operations, a major bilingual education project and a range of Gaelic-related community activities. In 1984 the first dedicated Gaelic language agency, Comunn na Gàidhlig was established, bringing a new energy and strategic focus to Gaelic development. Gaelic-medium immersion education began in 1985 and rolled out to many parts of Scotland. Provision for Gaelic television and radio increased very dramatically, particularly after a successful campaign led to a major injection of government funding from 1992 onwards.
Bill Bowring
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- January 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780748668458
- eISBN:
- 9780748697106
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Edinburgh University Press
- DOI:
- 10.3366/edinburgh/9780748668458.003.0003
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Historical Linguistics
The chapter tracks the fate of the Russian language in Ukraine on the example of the implementation of the Council of Europe’s 1992 European Charter for Regional and Minority languages. Both ...
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The chapter tracks the fate of the Russian language in Ukraine on the example of the implementation of the Council of Europe’s 1992 European Charter for Regional and Minority languages. Both Ukrainian and Russian have been at the centre of heated political debates since Ukrainian independence. There have been deep divisions between the European Charter and its application in the country, something that evidences that the Charter might not be a solution to the vexed question of the Russian language in Ukraine.Less
The chapter tracks the fate of the Russian language in Ukraine on the example of the implementation of the Council of Europe’s 1992 European Charter for Regional and Minority languages. Both Ukrainian and Russian have been at the centre of heated political debates since Ukrainian independence. There have been deep divisions between the European Charter and its application in the country, something that evidences that the Charter might not be a solution to the vexed question of the Russian language in Ukraine.
Neil Blain and David Hutchison
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780748627998
- eISBN:
- 9780748671205
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Edinburgh University Press
- DOI:
- 10.3366/edinburgh/9780748627998.003.0014
- Subject:
- Society and Culture, Media Studies
The chapter seeks to answer two questions, namely of the importance of the media to Gaelic, and the importance of Gaelic media to Scotland. The chapter begins with a broad consideration of minority ...
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The chapter seeks to answer two questions, namely of the importance of the media to Gaelic, and the importance of Gaelic media to Scotland. The chapter begins with a broad consideration of minority language media in Europe, followed by an examination of minority language broadcasting policy, and the history of Gaelic in Scotland. Sections follow on broadcasting before 1993; and television, 1993-2007, tracing the development of Gaelic broadcasting. A further section discusses Radio nan Gaidheal, BBC's Gaelic language service. A subsequent analysis of the press reveals Gaelic as a weak presence, noting arguments in favour of a weekly newspaper, but difficulties in establishing one. The chapter concludes by considering possibilities for digital broadcasting, discussing the impact of Gaelic media on Gaelic language use, and noting the importance of the language for Scotland as a whole.Less
The chapter seeks to answer two questions, namely of the importance of the media to Gaelic, and the importance of Gaelic media to Scotland. The chapter begins with a broad consideration of minority language media in Europe, followed by an examination of minority language broadcasting policy, and the history of Gaelic in Scotland. Sections follow on broadcasting before 1993; and television, 1993-2007, tracing the development of Gaelic broadcasting. A further section discusses Radio nan Gaidheal, BBC's Gaelic language service. A subsequent analysis of the press reveals Gaelic as a weak presence, noting arguments in favour of a weekly newspaper, but difficulties in establishing one. The chapter concludes by considering possibilities for digital broadcasting, discussing the impact of Gaelic media on Gaelic language use, and noting the importance of the language for Scotland as a whole.
Wilson McLeod
- Published in print:
- 2020
- Published Online:
- May 2021
- ISBN:
- 9781474462396
- eISBN:
- 9781474491396
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Edinburgh University Press
- DOI:
- 10.3366/edinburgh/9781474462396.003.0003
- Subject:
- Society and Culture, Scottish Studies
This chapter addresses a number of overarching issues and themes that have affected the position of Gaelic throughout the modern period. It begins with a discussion of the aims and assumptions of ...
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This chapter addresses a number of overarching issues and themes that have affected the position of Gaelic throughout the modern period. It begins with a discussion of the aims and assumptions of state language policy in Scotland and the wider United Kingdom, and then outlines the principal stages in the development of Gaelic policy. It goes on to consider the relationship between Gaelic and national and group identities in Scotland, considering the varying ways in which it has been framed and interpreted as a national, regional or ethnic minority language. It considers competing ideological interpretations of the value of Gaelic; since the 18th century, Gaelic has been simultaneously valorised and denigrated. It addresses the role of the Scots language in Scotland, which has formed an important backdrop to Gaelic policy even if organising and provision for Scots has been limited. Finally, the chapter gives an overview of he characteristics of Gaelic organisations; generally they have been moderate rather than militant in approach, concerned about limited support in the Gaelic community and the potential for backlash from the Anglophone majority.Less
This chapter addresses a number of overarching issues and themes that have affected the position of Gaelic throughout the modern period. It begins with a discussion of the aims and assumptions of state language policy in Scotland and the wider United Kingdom, and then outlines the principal stages in the development of Gaelic policy. It goes on to consider the relationship between Gaelic and national and group identities in Scotland, considering the varying ways in which it has been framed and interpreted as a national, regional or ethnic minority language. It considers competing ideological interpretations of the value of Gaelic; since the 18th century, Gaelic has been simultaneously valorised and denigrated. It addresses the role of the Scots language in Scotland, which has formed an important backdrop to Gaelic policy even if organising and provision for Scots has been limited. Finally, the chapter gives an overview of he characteristics of Gaelic organisations; generally they have been moderate rather than militant in approach, concerned about limited support in the Gaelic community and the potential for backlash from the Anglophone majority.
José Ramón Uriarte and Stefan Sperlich
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- May 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780262034708
- eISBN:
- 9780262335980
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- The MIT Press
- DOI:
- 10.7551/mitpress/9780262034708.003.0007
- Subject:
- Political Science, International Relations and Politics
We seek to understand the strategic use bilinguals make of a minority language. We argue that bilinguals have linguistic preferences and face both linguistic coordination and communication ...
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We seek to understand the strategic use bilinguals make of a minority language. We argue that bilinguals have linguistic preferences and face both linguistic coordination and communication optimization tasks. Further, we take into account that anonymous interactions are fairly frequent in present modern multilingual societies, making the linguistic type (bilingual or monolingual) private knowledge. To reach fast language coordination smoothness and communication effectiveness, bilinguals build linguistic conventions. The emergence of those conventions are shaped by the economizing laws and principles of least effort in human communication, politeness strategies, and other elements, all combined in a context of language contact. We show how the strategy hide your linguistic type may become popular among the bilinguals, and thus reduce the use of the minority language.Less
We seek to understand the strategic use bilinguals make of a minority language. We argue that bilinguals have linguistic preferences and face both linguistic coordination and communication optimization tasks. Further, we take into account that anonymous interactions are fairly frequent in present modern multilingual societies, making the linguistic type (bilingual or monolingual) private knowledge. To reach fast language coordination smoothness and communication effectiveness, bilinguals build linguistic conventions. The emergence of those conventions are shaped by the economizing laws and principles of least effort in human communication, politeness strategies, and other elements, all combined in a context of language contact. We show how the strategy hide your linguistic type may become popular among the bilinguals, and thus reduce the use of the minority language.
Marie McAndrew
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- March 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780520254343
- eISBN:
- 9780520941496
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of California Press
- DOI:
- 10.1525/california/9780520254343.003.0012
- Subject:
- Sociology, Occupations, Professions, and Work
Immigration nearly always generates ambivalence in a society: immigrants are seen as needed for labour, but their presence raises concern about their cultural adaptation and the changes large-scale ...
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Immigration nearly always generates ambivalence in a society: immigrants are seen as needed for labour, but their presence raises concern about their cultural adaptation and the changes large-scale immigration causes in host countries. This chapter argues that disputes over how to best educate immigrant youngsters have emerged repeatedly during periods of globalization and large-scale immigration over the past century. It examines three major public-policy debates regarding the education of immigrant students today: the role of common schooling versus ethnocultural institutions in the integration of newcomers, the place of majority and immigrant minority languages in the curriculum, and the extent to which public schools should adapt their norms and regulations to religious and cultural diversity. The chapter also looks at a corpus of scholarly work demonstrating the positive impact of interventions nurturing the development of a strong self-identity as an effective road to integration. In response to ongoing discussions about the value of teaching immigrant languages in schools, it considers some policy options, including the possibility of ‘collateral benefits’ of learning a new language for native students.Less
Immigration nearly always generates ambivalence in a society: immigrants are seen as needed for labour, but their presence raises concern about their cultural adaptation and the changes large-scale immigration causes in host countries. This chapter argues that disputes over how to best educate immigrant youngsters have emerged repeatedly during periods of globalization and large-scale immigration over the past century. It examines three major public-policy debates regarding the education of immigrant students today: the role of common schooling versus ethnocultural institutions in the integration of newcomers, the place of majority and immigrant minority languages in the curriculum, and the extent to which public schools should adapt their norms and regulations to religious and cultural diversity. The chapter also looks at a corpus of scholarly work demonstrating the positive impact of interventions nurturing the development of a strong self-identity as an effective road to integration. In response to ongoing discussions about the value of teaching immigrant languages in schools, it considers some policy options, including the possibility of ‘collateral benefits’ of learning a new language for native students.
