Full Description
To say that multilingualism is the norm and monolingualism the exception has become a truism. In fact, the European Union is clearly committed to a multilingual Europe in which all its educational systems are advised to include two Community languages. It is in this context where this volume analyses the language use and attitudes of would-be teachers, as they will play a paramount role when it comes to keeping multilingualism as one of the key features of the European identity. There are four main reasons why this volume can make a contribution to this field of research. Firstly, it is a transnational study involving nine different bilingual states/areas which allows the reader to compare contexts that, despite sharing some similarities, do have their own pecularities. Secondly, it considers not only the minority and majority languages, but also the different foreign languages. Thirdly, it relies on the same instrument and methodology. And last but not least, the participants will have an enormous influence on their different educational systems and on their students' linguistic perceptions.
Contents
Introduction: A Transnational Study in European Bilingual Contexts - David Lasagabaster and Ángel Huguet
Part I The Spanish Context
1 Language Use and Language Attitudes in Catalonia - Ángel Huguet
2 Language Use and Language Attitudes in Galicia - Xaquin Loredo, Antonio Fernández, Isabel Suárez and Håkan Casares
3 Language Use and Language Attitudes in the Basque Country - David Lasagabaster
4 Language Use and Language Attitudes in the Valencian Community - Maria Pilar Safont
Part II Other European Contexts
5 Language Use and Language Attitudes in Brussels - Laurence Mettewie and Rudi Janssens
6 Language Use and Language Attitudes in Friesland - Jehannes Ytsma
7 Language Use and Language Attitudes in Ireland - Muiris Ó Laoire
8 Language Use and Language Attitudes in Malta - Sandro Caruana
9 Language Use and Language Attitudes in Wales - Janet Laugharne
Conclusion: 10 The Linguistic Issue in some European Bilingual Contexts: Some Final Considerations - Ángel Huguet and David Lasagabaster
