Rhaeto-Romansh is a Neo-Latin language with three varieties. Occidental Rhaeto-Romansh (Romansh) is spoken in Switzerland, in the Canton of the Grisons. Central Rhaeto-Romansh (Dolomite Ladin) is spoken in some of the Italian Dolomite valleys, in the Province of Belluno, Bozen/Bolzano, and Trento. Oriental Rhaeto-Romansh (Friulian) is spoken in…

An examination of the cases of English in India and Malaysia and High German in Switzerland illustrates the many contradictions and difficulties in language policy and their effects on language status planning in terms of overt and covert language policies, linguistic register and repertoire, and the congruence between policy and polity. (34…

The volume is one of a series of six listing language-related legislation around the world. It contains the texts, in French, of laws of France, the French departments and overseas territories (Guadeloupe, New Caledonia, Corsica, and Martinique), the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Swiss federal government, and the Swiss cantons. The laws concern…

A survey investigated the increasing preference for Alemannic Swiss German over standard German in public functions in Switzerland, particularly in light of Switzerland's decision in 1996 not to join the European Union, which suggests an emphasis on national independence. The history of Alemannic Swiss usage and language policy are briefly…

A discussion of multilingualism in Switzerland begins with a description of the country's linguistic characteristics. Historical Swiss policy recognizing four official languages, one of which (Romansch) is spoken by very few people, is compared with the current situation in which internal and external migration and multilingualism are common. The…

A discussion of the role of national languages in an international context focuses on the situation of Europe, currently and in the foreseeable future, and particularly on the situation of multilingual Switzerland. The first section gives an overview of the status of national languages outside their own boundaries, especially in relation to…

This paper examines efforts to save rapidly declining indigenous languages around the world. The entire process of language preservation and revitalization is a massive undertaking that requires immense long-term planning and support. These problems extend well beyond the linguistic concerns of the language itself. Language policy is inherently…

Chapters in this volume include the following: "Co-Constructing School Safetime: Safetalk Practices in Peruvian and South African Classrooms" (Nancy H. Hornberger, J. Keith Chick); "Codeswitching and Collusion: Classroom Interaction in Botswana Primary Schools" (Jo Arthur); "Language and Educational Inequality in Primary…