LL-L "Language learning" 2010.09.18 (01) [EN]

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*L O W L A N D S - L - 18 September 2010 - Volume 01
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From: Roger Thijs, Euro-Support, Inc. <roger.thijs at euro-support.be>

Subject: LL-L "Language learning" 2010.09.17 (01) [EN]



> From: Mike Morgan <mwmbombay at gmail.com>

> Mark points out that societies can be multilingual (and multicultural),
and in fact can be abundantly so while most individuals in that society
remain monolingual.

> Count with me, English, Scots, Welsh, Gaelic, Erse, Manx (still, I hope),
Cornish (I anticipate), Norman-French (of the Channel Isles), Norn (does it
still exist?), Romany & how much more?



Yes, but for prevewing the evolution for the next 2 generations:

- Are there many Welsh speakers who do not understand a single word of
English?

- Are there Welsh parents who do everything for keeping their kids
monolinguistically Welsh?



I think in plurilingual environments the dominant language wins over a
couple of generations, unless for some groups, who organize themselves in
closed societies, as e.g. Amish people, orthodox Ashkenazies etc.



If you can prevent immigrants settling in an isolated Gaelic Island, the
local village variant can continu to be the main vehicular language over
there for generations to come. It is often suficient that just one family
starts behaving "English only" for breaking up the protection.



For strong languages the winning group may initially be a minority as e.g.
the French speakers in Brussels, the English speakers in the Cape Town area.



Regards,

Roger



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