Global English is under contestation. Although some consider lingua franca English (LFE) as a neutral medium or code that does not belong to any specific culture or nationality, others see the deceptive nature of this linguistic globalization. Along with Spring (2007/this issue), they see global English as embodying partisan interests and values.…

This article contains a description of the Dual Proficiency (DP) program in an urban elementary school located in the heart of a large south-western city, as well as the teachers who designed and now implement DP, and the immigrant community participating by choice in DP. We write from a context where, ironically, the number of English language…

On April 5, 1991, Spanish was made the sole official language of Puerto Rico, a move that replaced the 1902 Official Languages Act, which had put English and Spanish on an equal footing on the island, in name if not in practice. This paper analyzes this language status policy decision in terms of both its linguistic and extralinguistic purposes…

The history of language in the United States shows trends and movements that embrace and at times reject the accommodation of other languages in public life. However, there has always been resistance to creating an exclusively monolingual society. Instead, a cyclical pattern best describes U.S. language policy through the major periods in U.S.…

Discusses the usage of French in Gabon. As in other nations of francophone Africa, French is the language of upward social mobility in Gabon, and it offers access to the international community. However, one factor peculiar to Gabon is the virtual absence of a Gabonese national language, which promotes a greater dependency upon a mastery of the…

The unstable linguistic situation in Algeria resulting from official "normalization" in a country in which French has strong colonial roots is discussed, as well as its effects on the status of French instruction. (MSE)

Describes the alternating and mixed use of Swedish and Finnish in a company in the bilingual city of Vasa, Finland. Tradition, language knowledge of the employees, and occasional factors determine use in internal routines. Use is largely free from conflict, given that most employees know the other national language. (Author/PJM)

Discusses the work of the Institute of the Russian Language of the Russian Academy of Sciences, which has two main responsibilities: to review and correct official documents, and to prepare new terms and words. Also, it maintains a radio program which answers the listeners' questions about the Russian language. (PJM)

Encourages language teachers to continue in their efforts in promoting bilingualism in Canada. (AM)

Discusses the status of Creoles and their role in the education system of Creole-speaking countries, particularly those Creoles based on and competing with French. (AM)

Explores the moral and political issues involved in the concept of language rights. Examines language diversity as well as insights into the relationship among language, human existence, and culture; elaborates the concept of language rights; and discusses the moral and political philosophy of language rights. (34 references) (Author/CK)

Focuses on an exploration of an alternative space adjacent to postmodernist work in language rights. There are numerous different positions on language rights. Extends a politicized version of language rights that proposes that these rights are subordinate to the structure of power and domination and that language policy is a form of covert state…

Discusses language intellectualization in South Africa with particular reference to the African languages. Provides an overview of the language situation in South Africa and discusses the new language policy of official multilingualism with special reference to the intellectualization of the indigenous languages of South Africa. (VWL)

Explores the widespread acceptance of Bahasa Indonesian as the single national and official language of Indonesia. The discussion focuses on the political, sociocultural, and linguistic forces that have created the strong bond between the language and Indonesians' sense of national identity, and on Indonesia's successful policy of maintaining its…

A paradox is discussed that underlies the aims of linguists who attempt to influence, deliberately and systematically, the linguistic behavior of a community, while trying to avoid charges of prescriptivism. A balance between promoting feasible economic units and preserving linguistic diversity is advocated. (57 references) (Author/LB)