Language Policy and Activism in Europe

Catalog description

Language is central to understanding culture. How language is allowed to be used, therefore, can affect the current and future cultural beliefs and practices of a community. This course focuses on Europe and examines the history, development, and contemporary role of language within different European societies. We begin by defining "language" and some widely held myths about human communication. Then we examine how minority languages are regulated and embedded within relations of power, focusing on examples from Europe. We explore issues of language and ethnic/national identity; citizenship; language policies in governmental, workplace, and educational spheres; language endangerment and revitalization; and minority language activist movements. Case examples may include Irish and Welsh in the U.K.; Basque, Corsican, and Arabic in France; Catalan and Arabic in Spain; Turkish in Germany; and Russian in Estonia and Latvia. Offered Occasionally.