Language, Politics, and Social Interaction in an Inuit Community (Language, Power and Social Process [Lpsp])

Since the early 1970s, the Inuit of Arctic Quebec have struggled to survive economically and culturally in a rapidly changing northern environment. The promotion and maintenance of Inuktitut, their native language, through language policy and Inuit control over institutions, have played a major role in this struggle. Language, Politics, and Social Interaction in an Inuit Community is a study of indigenous language maintenance in an Arctic Quebec community where four languages - Inuktitut, Cree, French, and English - are spoken. It examines the role that dominant and minority languages play in the social life of this community, linking historical analysis with an ethnographic study of face-to-face interaction and attitudes towards learning and speaking second and third languages in everyday life. Language, Politics, And Social Interaction In An Inuit Community Is A Study Of Indigenous Language Maintenance In An Arctic Quebec Community Where Four Languages - Inuktitut, Cree, French, And English Are Spoken. It Examines The Role That Dominant And Minority Languages Play In The Social Life Of This Community, Linking Historical Analysis With An Ethnographic Study Of Face-to-face Interaction And Attitudes Towards Learning And Speaking Second And Third Languages In Everyday Life.--jacket. Language Use In Arctic Quebec: Towards A Political Economic Analysis -- Contextualizing The Research Site -- History And Representation Of The Hudson Bay Inuit, 1610-1975 -- Language, Power, And Inuit Mobilization -- Ethnography Of Language Use -- Summary And Conclusions. By Donna Patrick. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [225]-242) And Index.