A national language is useful as one means of creating social cohesion at the level of the whole country. It is also a symbol of national identity and of a nation's distinction from other countries. Probably no nation will ever be fully satisfied with a language that is a national language in the symbolic sense only, but the symbolic function of a…

Foreign language teachers should be aware of certain sociolinguistic concepts that can be termed "language ecology," which has been defined as the study of a "language and its environment." These concepts are: classification, users, domains of use, concurrent languages, internal varieties, written traditions, standardization,…

Refers to the increasing use of English throughout the world. (SK)

The article deals with the problems experienced by language minorities in Europe. The relevant social and political characteristics of the historical period in which the minorities appeared are outlined, and a model for the process of assimilation is given. Emancipation of the language minorities is discussed. Available from Humanities Press,…

The purpose of this paper is to describe the implementation of bilingual education programs in Peru. The first part of the paper consists of a general discussion of Peruvian history and the problem of native language suppression under Spanish colonialism and, later, a Spanish dominant independent government. Educational policies and the…

THE SIX STORIES IN THIS COLLECTION ARE WRITTEN IN THE KURDISH DIALECT OF SULAIMANIA, THE LANGUAGE OF OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS AND TEXTBOOKS IN IRAQI KURDISTAN. THE VARIOUS THEMES INCLUDED ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF KURDISH CULTURE AND TRADITION. EACH SELECTION (WRITTEN IN KURDISH SCRIPT) IS FOLLOWED BY VOCABULARY AND EXPLANATORY NOTES IN ORDER OF…

Many actions have been taken recently to bring about a revival of the French language in Acadiana (Acadia), a "triangulated area, delimited by, but not including, the cities of Lake Charles, Alexandria, and New Orleans." Historically, the Acadians "spoke exclusively and happily their native French language," but they became…

This article discusses language planning in the People's Republic of China, and opens by commenting on the difficulty in observing the language planning process in China, particularly in the area of decision-making. A brief history of language planning is provided. Following the establishment of the People's Republic in 1949, a shift took place…

This paper surveys the teaching of second languages in Irish primary and post-primary schools. In the centralized primary school system, with primary teacher-training directed towards state-controlled qualifying examinations, government policy now favors the teaching of Irish side by side with English (also an official language). With the…

The author discusses (1) the nature of communication, (2) sociological aspects of the communication problem, and (3) solutions to the language problem that have been tried. He believes that "there is a solution easier and more successful than multilingualism, and less discriminatory than the unilateral imposition of one national language for…

This is the second in a series of four reports from the 1975 Every Student Survey. Primarily, the report describes the relationships between students' language backgrounds and the occupation of the head of household. Specific relationships were also established between the language background of students and the occupations of their working…

Keith Spicer, Canada's Official Languages Commissioner from 1970 to 1977, reflects upon strengths and weaknesses in the implementation of the Official Languages Act and expresses his views on the current status of French language rights in the spheres of government administration and education. (Author)

A survey of the current language situation in India from a historical perspective, and an analysis of assumptions concerning language development. It is concluded that present government policies are ambivalent, giving lip-service to narrow definitions of mother tongues while directing resources toward the development of more broadly defined…

This study of the role and use of English in Israel was conducted in 1973. Sources used were census figures, personal interviews, surveys, and personal observations. It is concluded that exposure to English is increasing and that Israelis do not seem opposed to this, as Hebrew retains its prominence. (Author/RM)

This second change sheet for its publication manual states the American Psychologist Association's policy on sexist language in its journals offers some general principles for journal authors to consider, and suggests some ways to avoid sexist language. (Author)