Sustaining Language Diversity in Europe: Evidence from the Euromosaic Project (Palgrave Studies in Minority Languages and Communities)

Adopting a post-structuralist approach in analyzing the Euromosaic data about European minority language groups, Glyn Williams argues that different states construct minority language groups and speakers in different ways. This leads to an argument about the nature of democracy and how the current changes in governmental discourses accommodate linguistic and cultural diversity. "Beginning with a critique of the concept of Europe, this book explores the political context for current language policy. Social and political status within the European Union can bring significant benefits for speakers of national or official languages. While speakers of minority and contested languages have derived considerable benefits from the transnational context, many are less than happy with the hierarchical structure of EU language policy. This book focuses on languages spoken in Europe by Europeans and non-Europeans alike. The author explores key questions such as the impact of political boundaries on the concept of language and the significance of language for citizenship in Eastern Europe in particular. It assesses the quest for recognition and legitimacy among speakers of minority and contested languages and queries the non-recognition of migrant, non-European languages. The book adopts an interdisciplinary approach from a social science perspective and advocates an alternative approach to language policy."--Jacket This Book Draws On The Most Exhaustive Primary Data On European Autochthonous Language Groups. The Data Was Collected Within The Ec Funded Euromosaic Project Whose Theoretical Perspective Determined The Nature Of The Data. The Book Reassesses The Data By Suggesting That While It Incorporates The Inherent Assumptions Of The Theory, It Also Allows The Analyst To Establish How The Language Object And The Associated Subjects Are Constructed In Different Ways Across Europe. This Observation Is Then Incorporated Into An Evaluation Of The Extent To Which The Current Discourses On Democracy Accommodate Linguistic And Cultural Diversity.--jacket. Introduction : The Minoritisation Of Language Groups -- 1. Conceptualisation, Data And Method -- 2. Legitimation -- 3. Education -- 4. Reproduction : Family, Community And Household Media Use -- 5. Language Prestige -- 6. Institutionalisation Of Language Use -- 7. Data Evaluation -- 8. Diversity And Democracy. Glyn Williams. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 239-247) And Index. The author presents a new approach to the study of language policy, by focusing on language policy formation and implementation as a dynamic, conflict-laden process involving the interaction of various actors with different motivations and uneven bargaining powers, rather than as a product , examinable post hoc from existing language legislation.