Linguistic Minorities, Society, and Territory PDF Download

Author: Colin H. Williams
Publisher: Multilingual Matters
ISBN: 9781853591310
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 340

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Book Description
Companion volume to Language in Geographic Context, this book reflects the growing interest of geographers in language. It presents recent findings in geolinguistics, discussing the opportunities and conflicts faced by linguistic minorities in their attempts to influence the structure of the modern state in Europe and North America. It explores the relationship between territorial identity, social change and economic development in multilingual societies.

Author: C. Williams
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 1137000848
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 356

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Book Description
This is an analysis of the promises and contradictions surrounding contemporary minority language policy. It draws on theoretical and real-world perspectives and interviews with key players within European institutions together with field work undertaken principally in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Basque Country, Catalonia and Canada.

Author: Norman Berdichevsky
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 0786427000
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 289

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Book Description
This study evaluates the importance of language in achieving a sense of national solidarity, considering factors such as territory, religion, race, historical continuity, and memory. It investigates the historical experiences of countries and ethnic or regional minorities according to how their political leadership, intellectual elite, or independence movements answered the question, "Who are we?" The Americans, British, and Australians all speak English, just as the French, Haitians, and French-Canadians all speak French, sharing common historical origin, vocabulary and usage--but each nationality's use of its language differs. So does language transform a citizenry into a community / or is a "national language" the product of idealogy? This work presents 26 case studies and raises three questions: whether the people of independent countries consider language the most important factor in creating their sense of nationality; whether the people living in multi-ethnic states or as regional minorities are most loyal to the community with which they share a language or the community with which they share citizenship; and whether people in countries with civil strife find a common language enough to create a sense of political solidarity. The study also covers hybrid languages, language revivals, the difference between dialects and languages, government efforts to promote or avoid bilingualism, the manipulation of spelling and alphabet reform. Illustrations include postage stamps, banknotes, flags, and posters illustrating language controversies. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Author: Rhys Jones
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 113742611X
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 383

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Book Description
This book develops a novel approach to the study of language, bringing it into dialogue with the latest geographical concepts and concerns and provides a comprehensive account of the geography of Welsh language analysing policy development, language use, ability and shift. The authors examine in particular: the different ways in which languages can be mapped; how geographical insights can be used to develop understandings of language use; the value of assemblage theory as a way of interpreting the social, technical and spatial aspects of language policy development; and the geographies that characterise institutional engagements with languages. This book will set a research agenda for the geographical study of language, developing a conceptual framework that will offer fresh insights to researchers in the fields of Applied Linguistics, Sociolinguistics, Minority Languages, Geolinguistics, and Public Policy.

Author: Sharon Macdonald
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000181405
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 252

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Book Description
Since the 1960s, policies to 'revive' minority cultures and languages have flourished. But what does it mean to have a 'cultural identity'? And are minorities as deeply attached to their languages and traditions as revival policies suppose? This book is a sophisticated analysis of responses to the 'Gaelic renaissance' in a Scottish Hebridean community. Its description of everyday conceptions of belonging and interpretations of cultural policy takes us into the world of Gaelic playgroups, crofting, local history, religion and community development. Historically and theoretically informed, this book challenges many of the ways in which we conventionally think about ethnic and national identity. This accessible and engaging account of life in this remote region of Europe provides an original and timely contribution to questions of considerable currency in a broad range of social science disciplines.

Author: Robert B. Kaplan
Publisher: Multilingual Matters
ISBN: 1847690289
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 360

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Book Description
This volume covers the language situation in the Baltic States, Ireland and Italy explaining the linguistic diversity, the historical and political contexts and the current language situation - including language-in-education planning, the role of the media, the role of religion, and the roles of non-indigenous languages.

Author: Hans Goebl
Publisher: Walter de Gruyter
ISBN: 3110132648
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 974

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Book Description

Author: Michael Keating
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1136305602
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 496

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Book Description
Examining the effects of economic and political restructuring on regions in Europe and North America, the main themes here are: international economic restructuring; political realignments questions of territorial identity; and policy choices and policy conflicts in regional development.

Author: Colin H. Williams
Publisher: Multilingual Matters
ISBN: 9781853591976
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 260

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Book Description
This books examines the implications of language-related conflict and of nationalist mobilisation and analyses the appeal of national liberty for people whose national culture is itself challenged by structural and political changes in the global economy.

Author: Fernand de Varennes
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9004479252
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 552

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Book Description
One of the most vexing issues in many of the world's so-called ethnic or minority conflicts is the question of language use by the State and its citizens. While international and national law has traditionally viewed language preference to be within a State's prerogative - at least when involving governmental activities and machinery - this position has proved to be a continuous source of acrimony and conflict, and wrong in some respects. Language, Minorities, and Human Rights is the most complete book ever written on the topic, providing for the first time an analysis of every aspect of language and the law. In addition to presenting a theoretical model for language's particular position and relevance in human rights, it constitutes an invaluable reference document by including the provisions of close to 100 international, multilateral and bilateral instruments involving language rights, as well as the constitutional provisions of 140 countries dealing with language. By addressing little explored areas such as the language rights of indigenous peoples, non-citizens and even the use of script, in addition to more traditional topics such as nationalism and language, freedom of expression and non-discrimination, Language, Minorities and Human Rights proposes a complete descriptive picture of language and human rights as well as proposing a number of suggestions on how to address and balance the many problems currently caused by the linguistic demands of various individuals and the interests of states in nation building.