To promote bilingualism, the education authority of Gwynedd, in northwestern Wales, is seeking to increase the amount of compulsory Welsh instruction. Their gradualistic approach has angered both Welsh nationalists, who want fully Welsh schooling, and English-speaking parents who do not want additional school time spent on Welsh. (SJL)

This article touches upon the cultural and linguistic factors important to the development of a Saamish standard language. The Swedish Saamis, and the status standard Saamish has among them, are dealt with in particular. (CFM)

Examines the relationship between linguistic plurality and the rationale of advertising decisions. The article presents a simple model of sales to different language groups as a function of the level of advertising in each language, language attitudes, incomes, and an advertising response function. The model is intended as a benchmark, and several…

Focuses on three themes in language education policy: (1) the historical and legal foundations of second language education policies in British Columbia and international settings; (2) implications of language education policy development for teacher education; and (3) the knowledge bases and resources needed for coherent policy development and…

Literature in the little-known field of the economics of multilingualism is reviewed, focusing on five major issues: defining language; language and earnings; language of work, consumption, and business; language dynamics (acquisition, maintenance, and shift); and language policies. An analytical framework integrating economic and language factors…

Argues that the question of the presence of French in former French colonies is not controversial. A study of French in the Francophone world is set in the context of the precoccupations that Francophones themselves have about the importance of the own languages--other than French--that can be defined in their relationship to France only from a…

The French language provides a context for comparison of the modernization efforts of Quebec and Madagascar, looking at the following issues: the beginning role of the language in the society, political influences, language needs for technology transfer and the introduction of terminology in societies with well-documented and poorly-documented…

A descriptive review of research on language-in-education policy and planning is offered. It covers national languages (North America, Southern Africa, Central Asia); minority languages (New Zealand, North America); European minority languages and language policies in the European Community; testing and evaluation; teacher education; and literacy.…

A discussion of language policy formation and planning in Western European countries covers the following: implications of the 1992 Treaty of Maastricht, European Community initiatives, language planning at the regional level, the European Science Foundation, bilingual education, and the Council of Europe. (Contains 47 references.) (LB)

Discusses the background and implications of the 1990 Luso-Brazilian Orthographic Accord signed by the seven nations that have Portuguese as their official language. Concludes that while most of the debate over the accord revolves around issues of linguistic efficiency, the accord and its proponents are primarily concerned with political and…

The agency responsible for development and implementation of the Spanish/English interpreters' certification exam used in federal courts has begun creation of certification exams in Haitian Creole and Navajo. Although these are only 2 of the more than 50 languages used in the courts, long-range plans for further test development have been…

Discusses globalization and diversification within four language issues for adult literacy: (1) the spread of a small number of world languages, (2) development of the varieties of language, (3) choice of language for education and official life, and (4) disappearing languages. (JP)

Comments on the use of mother-tongues in written communication and basic education, using literacy programs in multilinguistic contexts as an example of the plurality of literacies. Democracy and citizenship, and the social demand for communication competence in postindustrial societies, are discussed with respect to the continuity dimension of…

The role of Tanzania's first President in promoting Swahili is outlined, and language policy is seen as one of the inevitable components of crises management. The recent reversal of an early policy of eventual Swahili-medium secondary and higher education is noted. (42 references)(JL)

Discusses the historical background and community reaction to recent reforms in Northern Ireland's educational treatment of cultural heritage studies, highlighting the cross-curricular approach taken to cultural studies and changes affecting the status of the Irish language. (35 references) (Author/CB)