Argues that objective conditions are always interacting with widespread "subjective definitions" to explain the variable capacities of linguistic minorities. Looks at the hypothesis formed by Giles, Bourhis, and Taylor in their theory of language in ethnic group relations as it relates to the multilingual context of the Valdotan…

Ferguson's concept of diglossia and its later extension and coupling with bilingualism is developed further into the concept of polyglossia with multilingualism by a discussion of various speech communities where these phenomena are in evidence. (Author/HP)

This article attempts to present an exhaustive, fully-documented discussion of recent and current work around the world on questions related to French/Dutch multilingual contact in Brussels. An attempt has been made to go beyond mere bibliographical listing to an evaluation of everything of importance written around this topic, primarily in the…

This paper defines diglossia as "a situation in which two closely related language systems enjoy differing social status, one being the 'high' and the other the 'low' language," and then attempts to show how a study of diglossia in Canada, where such a diglossic situation is seen to exist among varieties of French, might be carried out.…

Original version of this paper presented at the Conference of the 7th World Congress of Sociology, Varna, Bulgaria, September 1970. (VM)

Revision of a paper presented at the Conference Toward the Description of the Languages of the World, held in Burg Wartenstein, Austria, in August 1970. (VM)

Within the framework of modern language teaching objectives, an inventory is presented of various socio-cultural activities in which written communication plays a key role. Writing is typed according to the situation. The status of written language is assessed from the aspect of multilingualism and of diglossia. (Text is in French.) (AMH)

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…

Describes how triglossia in Nigerian education lies in the complementary distribution of languages by functions, with the languages of home, community, and school corresponding roughly to the affective, conative, and cognitive psychological categories. Provides a triglottic model which describes actual function of language in education in Nigeria.…

Compares heritage (ethnic) language programs with English as a second language programs in Canada. Differences in motivation and attitudes are cited among some ethnic groups who are eager to learn English for everyday communicative purposes, but are not interested in spending much time in heritage language classes. (SL)

This annotated bibliography presents studies that address the interplay of power and ideology in language policy. The studies assert that all the conflicts and oppositions between groups, disguised as either language, ethnic, or social movements, have the same basic aim: the quest for power and inclusiveness in the mechanisms of the state. The…

This paper discusses the dialects of the Chinese people who have settled in various countries of Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Burma, Thailand, Laos, North and South Vietnam, and the Khmer Republic. Data are first given regarding the area in general. The data are then broken down according to individual…

Development of a typology for linguistic situations has been a continuing concern of sociolinguistic research. Thus far, however, typological studies have served primarily to demonstrate the difficulties involved in such an undertaking rather than producing results of obvious utility. With few exceptions, notably Greenberg 1956 and Pool 1972,…

This books examines the interrelation between language and society in contemporary Italy and provides an up-to-date account of linguistic diversity, social variation, special codes, and language varieties within Italian society, and in situations of language contact both within and outside Italy. Part 1 covers the evolution and variations of…