The present and future situation of the Celtic languages is intrinsically interesting. Two are moribund, while the other four possess varying degrees of strength and institutional support. From the weakest to the strongest, however, there are pressing concerns about stability and maintenance, to say nothing of possible revitalisation. All are…

Addresses the theoretical context for language revival and sees language revival as part of a continuum of restorative activity. Examines difficulties that lie in terminology and perceptions of success. (Author/VWL)

Reviews Gabrielle Maguire's book "Our Own Language: An Irish Initiative" and Joshua A. Fishman's "Reversing Language Shift: Theoretical and Empirical Foundations of Assistance to Threatened Languages." (seven references) (JP)

Discusses the role of the school in supporting minority group identity, particularly through language maintenance programs. While language shift may not be countered by schools acting in isolation, identity can be maintained through periods of language shift. (Author/CB)

Who wins in sociolinguistic research undertaken in minority ethnolinguistic communities? This is a question that might at first glance seem an odd one. In fact, however, the concept of winning--with the concomitant themes of games and gamesmanship, plays and players, gains and losses, rewards and punishments, and so on--is an apposite one wherever…

Discusses the history of the decline of the use of Irish in Ireland since the 12th century and how present government policies and citizen attitudes have affected this decline. Government actions include establishing a Gaelic Board, setting nominal Irish qualifications for civil servants, and teaching Irish in the primary schools. (SED)

Discusses tensions resulting from dichotomies existing between "smaller" languages and those of wider communications. It is suggested that there are four recurring approaches for dealing with this tension: communicative language shift, defense of the more threatened variety, "localization" of the stronger language (for example,…

Discussion of language minorities and language maintenance focuses on three issues: the meaning of the terms "minority" and "maintenance" in this context; the centrality of group identity to most minority-language issues; and initial attempts to address minority issues in more cross-disciplinary and intellectually complete ways. A seven-item…