A comprehensive advanced textbook, covering not only language learning imposed by economic or political agendas but also language choices entered into freely for reasons of social mobility, economic advantage or group identity. The first part of the book reviews the development and role of standard languages in the construction of national communities and identities. The second part examines the linguistic accommodation of groups in contact, major lingua francas and the case of 'International English'. The third section explores reactions to nationalism and globalization, with some attention to language rights. The book further deals with methodological problems of working in this interdisciplinary area, and provides detailed illustrations from a range of countries and communities.
S. Wright
Policy colonialism globalization identity language policy nationalism
'This is a fine book...I believe we need to reconceptualise this area of sociolinguistics and this a is a first step in that direction. Sue Wright's intellectually provocative book holds real implications for EU policies, for educational policies, and for governments that still act as they did in the nineteenth century.' - Christina Paulston, University of Pittsburgh, USA
'One of the best attempts to treat the subject of language in modern Europe I've ever read. Sue Wright not only masters the relevant details of European history but also the historical interpretations of those details.' - John E. Joseph, Professor of Applied Linguistics, University of Edinburgh