Slide 1: Western Europe: Languages, Nationalism and New Challenges
Andree Tabouret - Keller Handbook of Language and Ethnic Identity, Joshua Fishman, Pgs 334 349
Slide 3: Present Reality
Western Europe is a “weak” and changing concept Complex mix of history, politics, nationalism, regionalism and recent immigration European Union brings a new dynamic
Slide 4: Terminology
Race was the term previously used instead of “ethnicity” “race” implies 3 meanings - family / biological species / groups Ethnicity should be viewed dynamically, ever present laymen use terms; foreigners / immigrants
Slide 5: European Union
Most nations adhere to a monolingual philosophy of a common language for all. Not the reality! European Charter on Regional or Minority Languages (1992).
- non binding, voluntary (France didn’t sign) - identifies and protects minority languages - strict definitions (but the number of minority languages have increased as provisions have changed.
Slide 6: European Union
Council Directive on Education of Migrant Workers (1977) - gulf between recommendations and final “weak” directive. - much research and many pilot projects but little effect on actual schooling of immigrants in their mother tongue as per recommendations.
Slide 7: Only Foreigners are Ethnic
Language policies for migrants differ greatly throughout W. Europe. (Scandinavia vs France) “melting pot” or “pluralism” Recent migrant poses significant language policy and educational challenges in W. Europe
Slide 8: Ethnicity and Language in Britain
Nationality Acts (1948, 1981) creates strict classes of citizens (native, colony, protectorate) and a narrowing of citizenship. Change from assimilation (pre 70s) to more pluralistic education policies (Bullock Report 1975 – education right in L1) Very contentious issue
Slide 9: Ethnicity and Language in France
Nationalistic use of French as the exclusive language of the country Racial basis and view of “ethnicity”. 1960s social upheaval created demands for change Enacted EEC schemes to teach immigrants their mother tongue. (tepid success) Recent changes towards integration (same with minority languages) English as a second language has competed with mother tongues to the detriment of the immigrant community.
Slide 10: New Dimensions / New Dangers
A language one speaks infers identity ex. Ephraimites & Gileads Politics and nationalism, along with growing empowerment of regional governments (with the advent of the EEC / EU), ethnic mixing, increased immigration and the growing power of English pose new challenges and dangers.
Slide 11: The Basques
N.W. Spain. Struggle to maintain identity against the larger Catalan population. 1978 Constitution recognizes Basque as an official language. On and off political and cultural movement to affirm and protect identity (ETA) Pseudo-scholarship to find Basque “racial” identity and roots. (create a mythology)
Slide 12: Belgium: Flemish & French
Language is divisive and not unifying Prior to 1962, French dominant through culture and “personality” 1962 – 3 “Linguistic Territories” established 1. Flemish (Dutch) and German 2. Brussels (bilingual) 3. Monolingual but with significant minorities Territorial principle complicates the constitution and institutions of Belgium (for example, there are 3 different units of the Army
Slide 13: Language Territories of Belgium
Slide 14: Ethnic Revival?
Always a revival. Language a contentious and politicized issue. “One language, one nation” has dominated policy and government. Regional languages fought for every inch. Immigrants torn: desire to integrate vs protecting identity. Increasingly ethnicity being marked in other ways than language (dress, song, accents, affiliations)
Slide 15: Further Reading
Language policy in the EU, Pia Vanting Christiansen, Roskilde Univ, John Benjamins Publishing Co., 2006 Language policy and education in the EU, Robert Phillipson in Encyclopedia of Language and Education. Minority Languages of Europe – website.
Minority Languages in Europe: Frameworks (forward) , Hogan-Brun, Gabrielle and Stefan Wolff. Status, Prospects. Palgrave 2003.
European Languages, Encyclopedia of Languages European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages – Full Document, Council of Europe, Strasbourg, 5.XI.1992
Slide 17: Prepared and produce by : David D. Aaron G. Woody R. Thunder
