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…

This book examines the phenomenon of multilingualism in West Africa from a historical, social, and environmental perspective. Chapter 1 explains why the catalogue of African languages established by linguists is not reliable for assessing the linguistic diversity of the region. It also discusses studies that show that the linguistic behavior in…

Following its independence from France in 1956, Morocco declared Arabic its official language. Successive policies of Arabization have been devised with the aim of ultimately converting French language domains into Arabic ones. However, there are two kinds of problems with the way the Moroccan language situation has been described and analyzed for…

Malay's long use as the dominant linga franca throughout modern Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore is partly responsible for its current status as the national language of all three countries. However, political and economic developments during and since the colonial era have created sociolinguistic contexts, motives, and results of the language's…

Past and current education and language policy in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), which was formerly the U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific, is discussed. Although under U.S. Navy administrative control since 1947, FSM is currently being divided into independent nations. The area has been influenced by colonization by Germany and Spain…

This paper is an attempt to take stock of the politics of language as it has been playing out in Latin America, ever since the countries in this region were colonized by European powers, mainly Spain and Portugal. Linguistic imperialism is by no means a new phenomenon in this part of the world. In more recent times, the relentless advance of…

This compilation, which is divided into three parts, brings together essays and documents representing a wide variety of views of the language question, especially as that issue relates to prospects for statehood and independence. Part 1 provides a general overview of the school language issue and evaluates the role that North American leaders…

Details the great flexibility of linguistic and residential combinations comprising the Chinese system of affirmative action for educating the Mongolian national minority. Notes tactical detail similarities, such as compensatory language training, with Canadian programs. Emphasizes the coherence of China's nationality policy. (NEC)

It is suggested that despite its simplicity, neutrality, and practical nature, Esperanto is at risk of extinction because of the growing dominance of English as an international language. It is further proposed that in order to assure its maintenance, Esperantists must federate into a state with political autonomy. The first section of the…

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…

The report explores the situation of francophone minorities in Canada and outside Quebec, focusing on the concepts of assimilation and community vitality in language-minority communities. Chapter 1 looks at the concepts of assimilation and community vitality both in Canada and internationally. Chapter 2 gives a broad description of the policy…

A discussion of multilingualism in Hungary begins with an overview of the role of minority and majority languages in the population since World War I, then focuses on the language situation as of 1991. It examines public policy concerning language, the importance of the existing multilingualism in language planning, the pervasiveness of…

The political reforms taking place in South Africa are reflected in new thoughts on possible future language policies for the country. The background to the present debate is traced, and some of the most important suggestions for a language policy for a postapartheid South Africa are discussed. (78 references) (VWL)

Focuses on the influence of language on economic, social, and political change in postrevolutionary Cuba. One of Cuba's primary postrevolutionary objectives was the eradication of illiteracy. Linguistic policies with respect to both Spanish and foreign languages were seen as a means to build human value and to establish a strong base for future…

Uses an attitude/motivation battery and matched-guise procedure to examine Kazak, Uygur, and Yi subject's ratings of Putonghua (PTH) and Chinese ethnic minority nationality (EMN) languages and 12 variables in PTH learning. Shows among other things that integrative orientation of Beijing people are the best predictors of EMN's instrumental…