Language Policy and the New Speaker Challenge
Language Policy and the New Speaker Challenge
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'New speakers' is a term used to describe those who have learnt a minority language not within their home or community settings, but through bilingual education, immersion or migration. Looking specifically at the impact of new speakers on language policy, this book provides an authoritative and detailed examination of minority language policy in Wales, Scotland, Ireland, the Basque Autonomous Community, Navarre, Catalonia and Galicia. Based on interviews with politicians, senior civil servants, academics and civil society activists, it assesses the extent to which interventions derived from a new speakers' perspective has been incorporated into official language practice. It describes several challenges faced by new speakers, before proposing specific recommendations on how to integrate them into established minority language communities. Shedding new light on the deeper issues faced by minority language communities, it is essential reading for students and researchers in sociolinguistics, language policy and planning, language education, bi- and multilingualism.
- Offers a detailed interpretation of the current state of minority language policy in Western Europe
- Analyses current innovative policy interventions which seek to meet the needs of new speakers of minority languages
- Offers several new perspectives on multilingualism and language in society
Reviews & endorsements
'By considering the diverse contexts and perspectives examined in the book, scholars, policymakers, and language advocates can gain insights into the multifaceted nature of language policy and work towards more inclusive and effective approaches to language preservation.' Remart Dumlao, Language in Society
'Williams raises questions - both important and difficult - with which anyone concerned with researching or meeting the needs of new speakers will have to grapple.' Colin J. Flynn, Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development
Product details
February 2023Adobe eBook Reader
9781009051699
0 pages
This ISBN is for an eBook version which is distributed on our behalf by a third party.
Table of Contents
- 1. The emergence of the new speaker phenomenon
- 2. Popinjays, pragmatism and policy: a new speaker triptych
- 3. Wales: normalised expectations
- 4. Scotland: cautious consideration
- 5. Ireland: tempered acceptance
- 6. The Basque autonomous community and Navarre: enthusiastic endorsement
- 7. Catalonia and Galicia: unalloyed support?
- 8. The policy community and recommendations on new speakers
- 9. Conclusion: contemporary challenges
- Appendices.
