Full Description
Drawing on four decades of research, Bernard Spolsky presents an updated theory of language policy that starts with the individual speaker instead of the nation. In this book, he surveys the language practices, beliefs, and planning efforts of individuals, families, public and private institutions, local and national activists, advocates and managers, and nations. He examines the diversity of linguistic repertoires and the multiplicity of forces, linguistic and non-linguistic, which account for language shift and maintenance. By starting with the individual speaker and moving through the various levels and domains, Spolsky shows the many different policies with which a national government must compete and illustrates why national policy is so difficult. A definitive guide to the field, this is essential reading for policy makers, stakeholders, researchers, and students of language policy.
Contents
Introduction: The non-linguistic environmentChapter 1: The individual in language policy and managementChapter 2: The family and the homeChapter 3: EducationChapter 4: Neighbourhoods and the workplaceChapter 5: Public institutions for communication, culture, religion, health and lawChapter 6: Military language policy and managementChapter 7: Imperialism and colonialismChapter 8: Economic pressure and neo-liberalismChapter 9: Endangerment and language shiftChapter 10: Management agencies and advocatesChapter 11: Treaties, Charters and other supranational sources of rights Chapter 12: The nation state as language managerChapter 13: Some national language policiesChapter 14: Rethinking a theory Appendix - Endangered languages in five countriesTable 1 Some endangered languages of IndiaTable 2 Some endangered language of VanuatuTable 3 Selected endangered indigenous languages of BrazilTable 4 Some Nigerian Endangered LanguagesTable 5 Russian minority language
