[lg policy] A request

[Christina Paulston]

If by majority, you mean numbers and by minority subordinate groups in  
a nation state, all the native languages of RSA under apartheid ( and  
probably to a degree still) would be examples. ( If you are picky, you  
can probably find tribal languages of less  than the 3 million  
speakers -- rough estimate of Afrikaans speakers -- which would then  
not qualify).  If by majority you mean superordinate but small in  
numbers, the Afrikaners of same time is an example, the  Swedes in  
Finland during joint kingdom days, etc.  With increasing number of  
democratic countries,
and increasing clout through actual votes, the first example is  
becoming less common.  We (sociology of language people ) don't see  
very much in the literature of split power between groups, e.g. Quebec  
which had Anglo economic power and Francophone  demographic, meaning  
majority votes, power  but the present language policies are a result  
of this split power.  The Francophone concern for Canadian minority  
language rights has not extended to their indigenous population.
	If I have misinterpreted your question, you will have to define your  
terms which I suggest you do anyway. It will make for less confusion.   
But I am guilty of the same; I ( and sociolinguists in general) throw  
the  concept of power around without much or any analysis of sources  
and explication in general.  If anyone has a useful definition,  
analysis of power, I would love a reference or two.  By useful I mean  
as a concept that can do solid work on the language scene. Any poli  
sci people out there?       Christina






On Apr 9, 2011, at 11:53 AM, Zaidi wrote:

>
>
> Friends
> In what context(s) can a majority language be considered a minority
> language? Are there some examples?
> Many thanks and Regards.
> Abbas Zaidi
>
> _______________________________________________
> This message came to you by way of the lgpolicy-list mailing list
> lgpolicy-list at groups.sas.upenn.edu
> To manage your subscription unsubscribe, or arrange digest format: https://groups.sas.upenn.edu/mailman/listinfo/lgpolicy-list

_______________________________________________
This message came to you by way of the lgpolicy-list mailing list
lgpolicy-list at groups.sas.upenn.edu
To manage your subscription unsubscribe, or arrange digest format: https://groups.sas.upenn.edu/mailman/listinfo/lgpolicy-list