Language Policy and the New Speaker Challenge
Hiding in Plain Sight

Analyses the current state of minority language policy in Western Europe and provides comprehensive, evidence-based policy recommendations.

Colin H. Williams (Author)

9781316517758, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 9 February 2023

402 pages
23.5 x 15.8 x 2.7 cm, 0.7 kg

'New speakers' is a term used to describe those who have learnt a minority language not within their home or community settings, but through bilingual education, immersion or migration. Looking specifically at the impact of new speakers on language policy, this book provides an authoritative and detailed examination of minority language policy in Wales, Scotland, Ireland, the Basque Autonomous Community, Navarre, Catalonia and Galicia. Based on interviews with politicians, senior civil servants, academics and civil society activists, it assesses the extent to which interventions derived from a new speakers' perspective has been incorporated into official language practice. It describes several challenges faced by new speakers, before proposing specific recommendations on how to integrate them into established minority language communities. Shedding new light on the deeper issues faced by minority language communities, it is essential reading for students and researchers in sociolinguistics, language policy and planning, language education, bi- and multilingualism.

1. The emergence of the new speaker phenomenon
2. Popinjays, pragmatism and policy: a new speaker triptych
3. Wales: normalised expectations
4. Scotland: cautious consideration
5. Ireland: tempered acceptance
6. The Basque autonomous community and Navarre: enthusiastic endorsement
7. Catalonia and Galicia: unalloyed support?
8. The policy community and recommendations on new speakers
9. Conclusion: contemporary challenges
Appendices.

Subject Areas: Comparative politics [JPB], Sociolinguistics [CFB], Linguistics [CF], Language: reference & general [CB]