This sociolinguistic study investigated the hypothesis that the Indonesian language (IL) is encroaching upon Banjarese Malay (BM), focusing on the fact that these two related languages form a diglossic situation, whereby IL performs the high function and BM performs the low function. Surveys of Banjarese people collected demographic data and…

While societies and their languages continually change in response to internal and external circumstances, there are proactive measures that can be implemented to either maintain the particular direction in which that language is moving or to reverse it. Parents and educators can effectuate positive change, individually and collectively. Some…

This study examined the unique patterns of integration into U.S. culture of four Asian Indian families, noting how these patterns shaped the identities and experiences of children within the families. Families from a local Asian Indian cultural organization agreed to participate. Parents and children completed open-ended, semi-structured…

Discusses how familial cultural, linguistic, and social traditions are perpetuated through continuing observance and repetition over the years. (AN)

Illustrates some of the difficulties inherent in bilingual education, including inadequate appraisal of matters such as ethnicity, cultural pluralism, and language maintenance and shift. The paper suggests that bilingual education and its implications must be considered in the broadest possible sociocultural perspectives. (Author/PJM)

The article presents data on ethnic schools representing eight ethnic groups in three major Canadian cities. It discusses the functions of ethnic schools with respect to ethnic socialization and development of ethnic identity, and examines the role of language retention in cultural maintenance. (Author/SB)

Describes the sociopolitical and educational implications of the complex linguistic situation in Belgium with particular relevance to aspects of bilingualism present in the bilingual and monolingual areas of the country. An analysis and an explanation of the discrepancy between official policy and public opinion with regard to language are given.…

The problems of Franco-Ontarians are viewed in terms of the attitudes that English-speaking Canadians have toward francophones. Several problems on all levels of education are highlighted to illustrate the need of the French speaking population to have education in their own language. (JMF)

The Anishinabe language is alive, and Anishinabe world view is embedded in it. It is important to continue speaking the language because not doing so contributes to language loss and the undermining of the Anishinabe world view. Dictionaries can help in preserving Native languages, but they must be written by Natives from a Native perspective. The…

Reviews the multidimensional research on bilingual education, covering contexts where bilingual children are in transitional classrooms as well as schools where curriculum content is experienced in two (or more) languages. Suggests that for bilingual education to play its part in language reversal, it needs to show its relative effectiveness, both…

It is argued that in the states of Francophone Africa, French is not always the language of the masses and that in light of sociolinguistic data, choice, or actual usage, new language policy accentuating national idioms is more viable than exclusive promotion of French. (38 references) (Author/MSE)

The Supreme Court of Canada has ensured that provincial legislatures are under a compulsory obligation to take measures to provide whatever type and level of rights and services are appropriate for minority-language education for the particular number of pupils involved. (MLF)

A catalog of heritage language projects funded by the Canadian government's Multiculturalism Program since 1973 lists milestones in the government's support of heritage languages, publications, research projects, teaching aids, resource kits, teacher training projects, and promotional organizations. (CB)

Four points in Ladefoged's discussion note in "Language" (v68 March 1992) are examined: arguments based on political considerations; the cost of giving up a native language to join a dominant language; the responsibility of a linguist in supporting the loss of a particular language; and the task of the linguist. (one reference) (LB)

Applies a taxonomic principle to analyze the gradual elaboration of any language or sign system as a technology of communication rather than the reflection of a specialized language faculty or cluster of language faculties. (Author/CB)