Quebec Seeks to Ease Divisiveness

[Jan Blommaert]

Joseph, I found the question strange (q was to provide more examples of lasting societal bilingualism - presupposition being that there are NOT many examples).

Jan
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Joseph Farquharson 
  To: lgpolicy-list at ccat.sas.upenn.edu 
  Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2003 3:19 PM
  Subject: Re: Quebec Seeks to Ease Divisiveness


  Jan, 

  What do you mean by 'strange'? Bilingualism seems to be the norm in a lot of places outside of totalising regimes. Those of us who are native English speakers have been spoilt, grown to think that monolingualism is the norm, but in many African and (East) Indian communities for example it is quite usual to be bilingual or multilingual, speaking sometimes three or four other language besides their mother tongue. 

  And there is no reason why bilingualism should not persist in a community, unless there is a political, economic or other reason for the group to abandon one of the languages after some time. 

  Joseph 

   Jan Blommaert <Jan.Blommaert at rug.ac.be> wrote: 

    Strange, it seems to be the rule in so many parts of Africa. Jan Blommaert

    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: "Survey Coordinator Brazil" 
    To: 
    Cc: "Joshua Fishman" 
    Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2003 1:19 PM
    Subject: Re: Quebec Seeks to Ease Divisiveness


    > Dear Dr. Fishman,
    > 
    > I'm glad to hear that group bilingualism can last indefinitely in many
    > cases. I'm just not aware of many. Guarani/Spanish in Paraguay comes to
    > mind. What are the many other cases?
    > 
    > Stan Anonby
    > 
    > 



  Joseph T. Farquharson, BA Hon. (UWI) 
  Graduate Student 
  Sidney Sussex College
  University of Cambridge
  Cambridge CB2 3HU
  United Ki! ngdom
  jtf25 at cam.ac.uk





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