Agency in the Peripheries of Language Revitalisation

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 *