Agency in the Peripheries of Language Revitalisation
Examining European Practices on the Ground
Mary S Linn editor Alejandro Dayán-Fernández editor
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Multilingual Matters
Published:14th May '24
Should be back in stock very soon
This hardback is available in another edition too:
- Paperback£24.95(9781800416253)
Has a unique focus on the issue of agency in minority language revitalisation in Europe
This book addresses the question of agency in the revitalisation of minoritised languages in Europe. The chapters investigate how grassroots actors shape revitalisation, and how individuals and groups negotiate historical factors, motivations, and institutionalised initiatives and policies in a variety of efforts.
This book addresses the question of agency in the revitalisation of minoritised languages in Europe, with each chapter presenting an ethnographic account of how language policy operates in a specific linguistic context. The chapters investigate how grassroots actors shape revitalisation, and how individuals and groups negotiate historical factors, motivations, and institutionalised initiatives and policies in a variety of efforts. Between them the chapters address both contexts where social actors have gained and exerted agency in their revitalisation efforts, and contexts where issues of authority, authenticity and lack of engagement plague efforts; these chapters provide insights into how social actors work within and against social conventions and strictures.
This book is available Open Access under a CC BY ND License.
The case studies in this volume provide valuable ethnographic insights into the practices of social actors – both individual and collective – who are using and promoting minoritised languages in early 21st century Europe. Additionally, the authors’ discussions of the nature of agency in language revitalisation make a significant contribution to advancing both theory and practice in this field. * Haley De Korne, University of Oslo, Norway *
Agency and self-empowerment are at the very core of language reclamation efforts, forming a powerful, self-propelling social mechanism. This cutting-edge book shows the complexity of the notion of agency and the potential of ‘peripheries’ as creative hubs of language diversity, affirming that it is indeed possible to challenge the homogenizing legacy of nation states. * Justyna Olko, University of Warsaw, Poland *
This book explores the processes and histories of revival in Europe's minority languages, exploring agency dynamics and structural constraints. It enriches sociolinguistic discussions by emphasizing the complexity of the agency, evaluating emotional forces, and involving diverse actors. Beyond conventional concepts, revitalization is seen as being driven by passion and emotion, advocating for research on emotional mobilization. Challenging traditional dichotomies, this book undoubtedly offers valuable insights for scholars and practitioners in minority language revitalization. * Tomasz Wicherkiewicz, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poland *
This volume is a fantastic example of what a good edited collection looks like. The contributions are diverse in their empirical focus and theoretical approach, but thematically aligned and woven together through cross-referencing, a thorough contextual introduction, and several moments of summative commentary. The fact that the volume is also free (as an open access PDF) only adds to the package [...] The book provides much useful food for thought...and perhaps provides us with concepts and language that can serve to bridge the two peripheries, beyond the gaze of top-down policy-makers, and on the edges of the world-system.
* Gerald Roche, La Trobe University, Australia, Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 2024 *ISBN: 9781800416260
Dimensions: 234mm x 156mm x 14mm
Weight: 450g
196 pages