This article makes a case for the existence of a minority language hierarchy in New Zealand. Based on an analysis of language ideologies expressed in recent policy documents and interviews with policymakers and representatives of minority language communities, it presents the arguments forwarded in support of the promotion of different types of…

The aim of this study is to develop a reference model for intervention in the language processes applied to the transformation of language normalisation within organisations of a socio-economic nature. It is based on a case study of an experiment carried out over 10 years within a trade union confederation, and has pursued a strategy of a…

In situations of language endangerment, the ability to understand a language tends to persevere longer than the ability to speak it. As a result, the possibility of language revival remains high even when few speakers remain. Nonetheless, this potential requires that those with high levels of comprehension received sufficient input as children for…

The study examines the sustainability status of Sarawak indigenous languages through a survey on adolescents' language use using the Expanded Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (EGIDS). The specific aspects examined were: the presence of ethnic languages in relation to other languages in selected domains of language use; the adolescents'…

The Basques first immigrated on a large scale to the USA during the Gold Rush of 1848. After immigrating to the USA, they settled in pockets throughout the West, especially in California, Nevada and Idaho, and it is currently estimated that more than 35,000 Basque-Americans live in these three states. This represents one of the largest…

The central goal of this research is to explore the language policy aspects in Jordan by focusing on the Circassian language maintenance issues and to provide measures for language revitalisation in the current demographic, linguistic and political situation. Research is based on multiple sources of information, but primarily on the empirical data…

Describes language border fluctuations in Belgium as far as its Dutch-French portion is concerned. Examines the status and function of the language border in Belgium and of actual border fluctuations. Discusses two problem areas in detail: the "Voerstreek, and the Brussels suburban region. Language shift and language change through erosion in…

Discusses Dutch in the Northern France, specifically the historical retreat of Dutch from Pas-de-Calais, historical evolution of the language situation in the Department du Nord, reactions to official language policy and language loss, characteristics of Flemish in France, alienation from other Dutch dialects by communicative isolation, linguistic…

Recent changes in oath-taking in Kirundi-Kinyarwanda are presented and interpreted. Shows that new oath variants create quantitative and qualitative variability in form, significance, and use in the conceptualization and meaning of oaths. Such changes were initiated largely by European Christian missionaries who arrived in Burundi and Rwanda at…

Introduces the topic of this special issue of the journal--linguistic construction and negotiation of social relations among bilingual Turkish-speaking adolescents in North-western Europe. The studies included focus on Turkish-German bilinguals and the Koge project in Denmark, a longitudinal study of bilingual development among Turkish Danes.…

Reports on a study that investigated the role and status of Xhosa in a prison located in Grahamstown, a large town in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Explored the extent to which members of the prison were aware of language policy, especially with regard to the role and status of Xhosa. (Author/VWL)

The recent writing of Muhlhausler argues that lexicography and other acts of linguistic description constitute a serious trespass on the linguistic ecology of an area, which can ultimately lead to a language's demise. This article critically examines views such as this in the context of community expectations of lexicographical researchers in the…

Traces the development of two innovative and successful in-service teacher education programs to prepare teachers to incorporate bilingual instruction (Castilian-Catalan) in Catalonia. Both of the short-term, transitory programs have reinforced the importance of regional language as well as provided an intermediate solution to the long-term need…

Focuses on intrasentential codeswitching among locally born inhabitants of Brussels, Belguim. The disappearance of intrasentential codeswitching is shown to be related to knowledge of standard Dutch. Apart from this, intrasentential codeswitching is probably no longer a generalized practice in Brussels because the codes involved symbolize social…

Analyzes dominant trends in the linguistic situation of Finnish Sami. The aim is to discuss these trends as a component of indigenous people's problems with linguistic inequality. Sami language and its speakers, Sami language shift, Sami schooling, status of Sami the language, and the reification of the language are all discussed. (20 references)…