Guardians of Language
Twenty Voices Through History
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Oxford University Press
Published:24th Mar '16
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
This book provides an accessible account of the origins and conceptual foundations of language policy. Florian Coulmas discusses the influence of twenty intellectuals from medieval to modern times, and from a variety of cultures, who have taken issue with language, its use, development, and political potential. These 'guardians of language' range from renowned figures such as Dante, Noah Webster, and Gandhi, to less well-known individuals such as the Spanish grammarian Antonio de Nebrija and Senegalese politician and poet Léopold Sédar Senghor. Each chapter begins by providing background information on the scholar whose work is being reviewed and ends with a summary of his key thoughts on language in the form of an imaginary interview.
The writing is elegant with some wisely chosen droplets of humor. One can read the book cover to cover, but those interested in particular topics --e.g., Esperanto, the revival of modern Hebrew, Bahasa Indonesia -- can read select chapters. However approached, the book is a delightful read. * L. Lopez, University of Illinois at Chicago, Choice *
An original and highly erudite contribution to the field of language policy and planning. * Angela Bartens, Sociolinguistic Studies *
In depth and at the same time highly enjoyable, it will spark the interest not only of researchers in the field, but also of undergraduate and graduate students, and of general readers who want to know more about one (or more) of its charismatic protagonists. * Federica Guerini, Linguistica e Filologia *
The scholarship and erudition of the book are outstanding, and the book makes language planning and policy issues accessible to a broader public of expert and nonexpert readers from all fields ... an easy, enjoyable read. * Iair Or, Elana Shohamy, Language *
Coulmas uses his ingenious format to draw our attention to certain neglected aspects of the historical record... The book presents a sheaf of individual, idiosyncratic facts, ranging over triumphs and setbacks, both immediate and long term. * Probal Dasgupta, Language Problems and Language Planning *
ISBN: 9780198736523
Dimensions: 222mm x 145mm x 26mm
Weight: 544g
368 pages