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Diglossia and Power

Language Policies and Practice in the 19th Century Habsburg Empire

Rosita Rindler Schjerve editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:De Gruyter

Published:19th Nov '03

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Diglossia and Power cover

This book is about the struggle for social power in the interethnic context of the Austrian part of the 19th century Austro-Hungarian Empire. It explores how the struggle for power is reflected in attempts to control language use at different levels of discursive interaction, and how, in a context of intricate and multiple language contact, language became a prominent site for interethnic controversies and conflict. The book shows how, in the wake of ongoing democratization, in particular in 1848-1849 and after 1860, the non-German speaking nationalities of the Empire attempted to redefine their status by demanding recognition of their languages and cultures while German-dominated state nationalism tried to reestablish its endangered hegemony by granting linguistic and cultural autonomy to the various ethnic groups.

"The BAAL jury was right: apart from being an excellent introduction to the linguistic situation in the 19th century Habsburg empire, this volume is an inspiring, challenging and highly recommended read for any scholar involved in historical sociolinguistics."Wim Vandenbussche in: Linguist List 16.1244

ISBN: 9783110176537

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 635g

357 pages

Reprint 2013