Critical analysis of three cases of grammatical borrowing of Frisian from Dutch leads to the specific conclusion that the Frisian grammatical system does not "Dutchify," and to general conclusions concerning the ways that minority languages can and cannot be influenced by dominant languages. (Author/CB)

Explores several models of cognitive and structural perspectives involving minority-language situations, and attempts to integrate them into a framework of predictive propositions that elaborate psychosocial climates of maintenance, majority-minority encounter, and interactive strategies. (65 references) (Author/CB)

Assesses the potential of selected aspects of geolinguistic analysis for the understanding of multilingual cities and outlines a research agenda highlighting the need for increased comparative research on urban multilingualism. The article illustrates the agenda with reference to a geographical information systems (GIS) analysis of language in…

In describing the different types of codeswitching used in Dakar, this paper questions the frequent assumption that the use of two languages within a single conversation violates a norm. In Dakar there is a fluid and unmarked switching between Wolof and French, "Urban Wolof," that has become the most common mode of speech among urban…

A questionnaire and interview survey shows that Gaelic is no longer the language of the home for a majority of parents of preschool children, who are nevertheless very positive that their children should be bilingual by the end of primary school. About half seemed prepared to enroll their children in Gaelic-medium units if provided. (22…

Using ethnographic observations of classroom interaction in three primary schools, determinants of teachers' language choice and codeswitching among English, Swahili, and mother-tongue were explored: official school policy, cognitive concerns, classroom management concerns, values and attitudes about societal multilingualism. (36 references)…

Language use among linguistic minorities of the Northern Calotte (areas of Norway, Sweden, and Finland that lie above the Arctic Circle) is reviewed from the perspective of history and ecology of language. Two case studies examining language shift in these areas, where Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, and Sami are spoken, are also considered.…

A study of mother tongue (MT) use in second-language classrooms was conducted in United Kingdom primary schools in two bilingual settings: North Wales (Welsh/English) and Lancashire (Mirpur Punjabi/English). Prewriting activities were carried out with comparable pairs of classes (MT or English, second language). Although attitudes in the MT groups…