Nations, Language and Citizenship

Couverture
McFarland, 13 févr. 2004 - 288 pages
2 Avis
This study evaluates the importance of language in achieving a sense of national solidarity, considering factors such as territory, religion, race, historical continuity, and memory. It investigates the historical experiences of countries and ethnic or regional minorities according to how their political leadership, intellectual elite, or independence movements answered the question, “Who are we?” The Americans, British, and Australians all speak English, just as the French, Haitians, and French-Canadians all speak French, sharing common historical origin, vocabulary and usage—but each nationality’s use of its language differs. So does language transform a citizenry into a community / or is a “national language” the product of idealogy? This work presents 26 case studies and raises three questions: whether the people of independent countries consider language the most important factor in creating their sense of nationality; whether the people living in multi-ethnic states or as regional minorities are most loyal to the community with which they share a language or the community with which they share citizenship; and whether people in countries with civil strife find a common language enough to create a sense of political solidarity. The study also covers hybrid languages, language revivals, the difference between dialects and languages, government efforts to promote or avoid bilingualism, the manipulation of spelling and alphabet reform. Illustrations include postage stamps, banknotes, flags, and posters illustrating language controversies. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.
 

Avis des internautes - Rédiger un commentaire

Aucun commentaire n'a été trouvé aux emplacements habituels.

Table des matières

Preface and Dedication
1
Introduction
3
Part I Countries with Competing Candidates for the National Language
11
Part II Multiethnic Countries with Bilingualism and Multilingualism
75
Part III The Celtic Pygmy Revivals of Welsh and Scots
135
Part IV Dialects or Languages?
153
Part V The Quarreling Cousins
163
Bilingual or Using the Wrong Language?
179
The Case of Determined Government Planning to Avoid Bilingualism
213
Part VIII The Struggle with the Chains of the Past Greek Arabic and Turkish
223
Conclusion
245
Chapter Notes
259
Bibliography
267
Index
275
Droits d'auteur

Autres éditions - Tout afficher

Expressions et termes fréquents

Fréquemment cités

Page 46 - When boyhood's fire was in my blood, I read of ancient freemen, For Greece and Rome who bravely stood, Three Hundred men and Three men. And then I prayed I yet might see Our fetters rent in twain, And Ireland, long a province, be A Nation once again.
Page 3 - In its speech resides its whole thought-domain, its tradition, history, religion, and basis of life, all its heart and soul. To deprive a people of its speech is to deprive it of its one eternal good.
Page 136 - Ukrainian nationalist who believes his people are chosen by god: 1 know that all people are equal. My reason tells me that. But at the same time I know that my nation is unique... My heart tells me so. Living with contradictions may be especially common for rabid nationalists. Greek nationalists think it only natural that the Greek part of Albania should be made autonomous or part of Greece, but also natural that minorities inside Greece should have no recognition (Hugh Poulton, The Balkans: Minorities...
Page 47 - And, from that time, through wildest woe, That hope has shone, a far light; Nor could love's brightest summer glow Outshine that solemn starlight: It seemed to watch above my head In forum, field, and fane; Its angel voice sang round my bed, 'A Nation once again'.
Page 117 - In days of yore, from Britain's shore, Wolfe, the dauntless hero, came, And planted firm Britannia's flag On Canada's fair domain. Here may it wave, our boast and pride, And joined in love together, The Thistle, Shamrock, Rose entwine The Maple Leaf forever...
Page 47 - So, as I grew from boy to man, I bent me to that bidding — My spirit of each selfish plan And cruel passion ridding ; For, thus I hoped some day to aid — Oh ! can such hope be vain ? — When my dear country shall be made A NATION ONCE AGAIN.
Page 59 - Skyld, saasom vi og forlade vore Skyldnere; og led os ikke ind i Fristelse, men fri os fra det Onde; thi dit er Riget og Kraften og Herligheden i Evighed, Amen. Matt. 6, 9 ff.— The version commonly used in the church and schools has "magten og aeren,
Page 59 - ... dritte Sprachreform (1938) beschlossen wurde, waren in Amerika die Reformen von 1907 und 1917 bei weitem noch nicht überall eingeführt.618 Ansätze zur Einführung von Landsmaal blieben erfolglos (s. 2.3.3.). Sprachproben I. Das Vaterunser (Matth. 6, V. 9 - 13) Slikskal dere da he: Fader var, du so m er i himmelen ! La ditt navn holdes hellig.
Page 153 - Form of speech peculiar to a district, class, or person, subordinate variety of a language with distinguishable vocabulary, pronunciation, or idioms.

À propos de l'auteur (2004)

Norman Berdichevsky is a professional translator, writer and lecturer for several major cruise lines. Formerly a lecturer of Judaic studies at the University of Central Florida, he is the author of several books and lives in Orlando.

Informations bibliographiques