[lg policy] book notice: Minority Languages and Group Identity: Edwards

[Harold Schiffman]

Minority Languages and Group Identity: Edwards


Title: Minority Languages and Group Identity
Subtitle: Cases and Categories
Series Title: IMPACT: Studies in Language and Society 27
Published: 2011
Publisher: John Benjamins
                http://www.benjamins.com/

Book URL: http://www.benjamins.com/cgi-bin/t_bookview.cgi?bookid=Impact%2027

Author: John Edwards

Abstract:

Please Note: This is a new version of a previously announced text.

The central concern in this book is the relationship between language and
group identity, a relationship that is thrown into greatest relief in
'minority' settings. Since much of the current interest in minority
languages revolves around issues of identity politics, language rights and
the plight of 'endangered' languages, one aim of the book is to summarise
and analyse these and other pivotal themes. Furthermore, since the
uniqueness of every language-contact situation does not rest upon unique
elements or features - but, rather, upon the particular weightings and
combinations of features that recur across settings - the second aim here
is to provide a general descriptive framework within which a wide range of
contact settings may be more easily understood. The book thus begins with a
discussion of such matters as language decline, maintenance and revival,
the dynamics of minority languages, and the ecology of language. It then
offers a typological framework that draws and expands upon previous
categorising efforts. Finally, the book presents four case studies that are
both intrinsically interesting and - more importantly - provide specific
illustrations of the generalities discussed earlier.


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Table of contents

Chapter 1. An introductory overview 1-14
Chapter 2. Languages in contact and conflict I: Small languages and their
maintenance 15-36
Chapter 3. Languages in contact and conflict II: Language decline, revival
and the 'new' ecology 37-56
Chapter 4. Parochialism and intercourse 57-72
Chapter 5. Towards a typology 
of minority-language settings 73-104
Chapter 6. Irish 105-128
Chapter 7. Gaelic in Scotland 129-148
Chapter 8. Gaelic in Nova Scotia 149-172
Chapter 9. Esperanto 173-194
Epilogue 195-206
References 207-228
Index 207-228


"John Edwards is argumentative, insightful, and no respecter of orthodoxy.
The book challenges and unsettles."
Colin Baker, University of Bangor

"Another masterpiece from the pen of John Edwards who continues to provide
insight into the vitality and life of minority languages around the world!
This time, he cleverly analyzes the state of certain endangered and
constructed languages. In doing so, and while drawing on other related
issues (particularly group identity), Edwards provides us with a convincing
and cohesive framework that adds much-needed clarity as to what we mean by,
and what constitutes, language maintenance. As ever, he writes engagingly
and powerfully. This is a "must read" for seasoned scholars and students
alike."
Howard Giles, University of California, Santa Barbara

Linguistic Field(s): Language Contact
                            Language Planning
                            Sociolinguistics

Written In: English (eng )

See this book announcement on our website:
http://linguistlist.org/pubs/books/get-book.cfm?BookID=54207


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