This paper outlines a new model of language revitalisation that understands language to be a characteristic of a nexus of social activities rather than an independent object. Language use is one of an overall set of factors contributing to the wellbeing of a particular community. Our model treats language as one node (or a cluster of nodes) in a…

This paper explores the identity and the social/political behaviour of Russians in post-Soviet Central Asia through a comparison with the Baltic countries via a "hot and cold ethnicity" paradigm. Central Asian Russians are more likely, ceteris paribus, to be found at the "cold" end of the spectrum of "ethnic…

This article presents an overview of the perceived importance and accelerated spread of English language education, both formal and informal, in three East Asian countries (i.e. China, Japan and South Korea) against the backdrop of globalisation and emergent ideological, sociocultural and educational trends. It begins with a review of the recent…

Critiques the concept of ethnolinguistic vitality developed by Giles, Bourhis, and Taylor. Argues that the dimensions of vitality outlined are ambiguous, and gross and inexact tools of analysis in their application. (EKN)

As diglossia is the societal counterpart of individual bilingualism, diethnia is the stable, societal counterpart to individual biculturalism. Diethnia requires societal compartmentalization as well as institutionally protected functional specificity. Maintenance of this division is difficult, given modern, interactive, mobile, and individualistic…

Provides a survey of the linguistic, social, and educational situation created along the Swiss language frontier by the interaction between French speaking and German dialect speaking groups. Reports research data gathered on senior secondary students on the language frontier. Explains the "territorial principle" governing language use…