Describes three examples illustrating the nature and extent of contact-induced change in the Linxia dialect, relating to extensive lexicosemantic diffusion resulting in areal convergence, coexisting markers representing two different types of borrowing, and a postpositional conditional marker as an example of significant syntactic and phonological…

Reflecting on the situation in Quebec, this paper attempts to offer a fair solution to the problem of the languages of signage. It is suggested that individuals and groups have the right to show their linguistic identity as well as to express themselves in the languages of their choice, provided that the rights of the addressees are also met. (VWL)

A century of debate over the reform of French spelling is criticized for focusing too much on dictionary issues and too little on grammar and clarity of expression. Four guidelines for the formulation of new spelling rules are suggested. (MSE)

Since 1977, businesses in Quebec have been required to use French as their normal working language, and a process of "francization" has been initiated. Progress has been slowed by resistance from businesses, political hesitation, and bureaucracy. The Quebec case suggests that flexible implementation is necessary for a successful, working…

Under the 1986 Immigration Reform Act, illegal aliens could fulfill English, history, and civics knowledge requirements by attending instructional programs. Because the goal was to grant these aliens residency before foreign nationals applying under other programs, not to help individuals achieve English competency, the language policy has been…

Explores the evolution of language policy and planning (LPP) as an area of research from the end of World War II to the present. Based on analysis of the LPP literature, three types of factors are identified as having been instrumental in shaping the field: macro sociopolitical, epistemological, and strategic. (Author/VWL)

Recent arguments have suggested that literacy in the Pacific does not give added status to vernaculars and that it should be discouraged, because it is not part of traditional cultures. This article disputes this interpretation, arguing that as these cultures have changed since colonial contact, literacy has been fully incorporated into many local…

The linguistically mixed marriage stands at he crossroads of important factors in the future of French in North American and Catalan in Europe: reversing language shift. While Quebec and Catalonia appear strikingly similar, strong evidence indicates that demographic, linguistic, socioeconomic, and even lifestyle factors may make linguistic exogamy…

Catalogues the various diacritics that are used for spelling different languages, describing what they look like and what they are used for. Also analyzes the problems of using accented letters in a multilingual computing environment and discusses the extent to which these problems have been resolved, with particular reference to Unicode.…

Suggest that because language planning is a tool in the service of many different latent goals, it rarely conforms to a rational paradigm of decision-making or problem-solving. This article presents a linguistic profile of Cameroon. (Author/VWL)

Group autonomy is often invoked as a tool to accommodate linguistic diversity and remedy potential conflicts in multilingual societies. Analyzes two different modes of group autonomy--namely territorial and personal models--and assesses their ability to adequately respond to demands of linguistic recognition. (Author/VWL)

In an attempt to unify the nation's naturalisation policies, Germany has introduced compulsory language tests as a prerequisite for citizenship. Reactions to this new policy have been sharply divided. After a brief introduction to the sociocultural demography of modern Germany, critical insights are provided into controversial use of literacy as a…

This monograph describes the overall language situation in Luxembourg, a highly multilingual country in Western Europe, from a language policy and planning perspective. The first part discusses the social and historical contexts, including major societal changes and uncertainties about the future, which are bound up with Europeanisation and the…

This article is devoted to the linguistic, communicative and sociocultural situation in branches of multinational companies located in the Czech Republic and Hungary. There are typically several languages used in these branches. In addition to the local languages, there are the languages of the parent companies--most commonly English or German,…

During the colonial period, the British transformed St. Lucia into an economic dependency, established British-modelled social institutions and sought to anglicise the island population. In the postcolonial world, language plays a role in the economic, social and cultural transformation of societies embarking on policies of national development.…