Uniformity and Diversity in Language Policy

Global Perspectives

Edited by Catrin Norrby, Prof. John Hajek

Publication date:

17 October 2011

Publisher

Multilingual Matters

Dimensions:

210x148mm
6x8"

ISBN-13: 9781847694461

This book brings together current research by leading international scholars on the often contentious nature of language policies and their practical outcomes in North America, Australia and Europe. It presents a range of perspectives from which to engage with a variety of pressing issues raised by multilingualism, multiculturalism, immigration, exclusion, and identity. A recurrent theme is that of tension and conflict: between uniformity and diversity, between official policies and real day-to-day life experiences, but also between policies in schools and the corporate world and their implementation. Several chapters present research about language policy issues that has previously not been fully or easily available to an English-language audience. Many of the chapters also provide up-to-date analyses of language policy issues in particular regions or countries, focusing on recent developments.

Preface

General Introduction

Part I-Language Policy at the Official Level

Introduction to Part I

Chapter 1-Jane Warren and Leigh Oakes: Language Policy and Citizenship in Quebec: French as a Force for Unity in a Diverse Society?

Chapter 2-Sally Boyd: Do National Languages Need Support and Protection in Legislation? The Case of Swedish as the ‘Principal Language’ of Sweden

Chapter 3-Uldis Ozolins: Language Policy and Smaller National Languages: The Baltic States in the New Millennium

Chapter 4-Paulin G. Djité: Language Policy in Australia: Does What Goes Up Have to Come Down?

Chapter 5-Leigh Oakes: Regional Languages, the European Charter and Republican Values in France Today

Part II-Language Policy in Practice: Indigenous and Migrant Languages in Education

Introduction to Part II

Chapter 6-Tadhg Ó Hifearnáin: Breton Language Maintenance and Regeneration in Regional Education Policy

Chapter 7-David Lasagabaster: Language Policy in Spain: The Coexistence of Small and Big Languages

Chapter 8-Catherine E. Travis and Daniel J. Villa: Language Policy and Language Contact in New Mexico: The Case of Spanish

Chapter 9-Gillian Wigglesworth and David Lasagabaster: Indigenous Languages, Bilingual Education, and English in Australia

Chapter 10-Yvette Slaughter: Bringing Asia to the Home Front. The Australian Experience of Asian Language Education through National Policy

Part III-Language Policy in Real and Virtual Worlds

Introduction to Part III

Chapter 11-Kerry Ryan and Tim Mcnamara: Testing Identity: Language Tests and Australian Citizenship

Chapter 12-Diarmait Mac Giolla Chríost: Language as Political Emblem in the New Culture War in Northern Ireland

Chapter 13-Claudia Maria Riehl and John Hajek: Language Policy and Reality in South Tyrol

Chapter 14-Heinz l. Kretzenbacher: Addressing Policy on the Web: Netiquettes and Emerging Policies of Language Use in German Internet Forums

Chapter 15-Catrin Norrby and John Hajek: Language Policy in Practice. What Happens When Swedish IKEA and H&M Take ‘You’ On?

Chapter 16-Deborah Cameron: Regulating Language in the Global Service Industry

The book is a valuable addition to the literature on language policy both at the macro and the micro levels. It serves to bring to one’s notice that linguistic rights are increasingly being acknowledged both in the recognition of weaker languages by the state and of using them in schooling and other domains. It also shows an increasing democratization in culture through the promotion of language norms associated with solidarity and non-hierarchical behavior than was the case before.