1. The Analysis of Medium-Sized Language Communities

Moreno, F. Xavier Vila i; Bretxa, Vanessa

doi:10.21832/9781847698360-003

Cited by 2 publications

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“…Considering this, the ongoing political conflict in Catalonia provides an excellent opportunity to study the constructions of, and attitudes toward, Catalan and Spanish in the region (Castelló and Capdevila 2015;Micó and Carbonell 2017). In addition, the sociolinguistic situation in Catalonia is of great interest because it has features that make it different from that of other societies, with the coexistence of what Soler-Carbonell (2013) calls a 'medium-sized' language, Catalan, and a much larger language, Spanish (Vila 2013;Ubalde et al 2017). Additionally, some of the most recent scholarly work illustrates changing attitudes toward Catalan and Spanish in the territory (Pujolar and Gonzàlez 2013;Soler-Carbonell 2013;Vila 2013;Woolard 2016;Dowling 2018;Ianos et al 2018;Puigdevall et al 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, the sociolinguistic situation in Catalonia is of great interest because it has features that make it different from that of other societies, with the coexistence of what Soler-Carbonell (2013) calls a 'medium-sized' language, Catalan, and a much larger language, Spanish (Vila 2013;Ubalde et al 2017). Additionally, some of the most recent scholarly work illustrates changing attitudes toward Catalan and Spanish in the territory (Pujolar and Gonzàlez 2013;Soler-Carbonell 2013;Vila 2013;Woolard 2016;Dowling 2018;Ianos et al 2018;Puigdevall et al 2018). Given these issues, Catalonia represents an auspicious place for research with language and identity in the region facing major new problems and possibilities in a globalised world.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Language attitudes, linguistic authority and independence in 21st century Catalonia

Byrne

2019

Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development

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In a context of increasing linguistic and cultural diversity and political uncertainty in Catalonia, this article reports on a research project which set out to explore the attitudes of members of independence organisations operating in the city of Girona toward the Catalan and Spanish languages. This study approaches language attitudes through the theoretical lens of linguistic authority, in particular, the concepts of anonymity and authenticity. The data, gathered from six focus groups, provide an insight on the nature of linguistic authority in contemporary Catalonia. Two themes emerge in the informants' discussion of Catalan and Spanish: '21st Century Catalanisme' and 'Embracing Linguistic Diversity'. The comments of the respondents indicate that, against the backdrop of the independence process in the region, bilingualism and multilingualism have become highly valued in the territory. In addition, this study suggests that a fuller understanding of the situation in Catalonia may be facilitated by qualitative approaches, which explore attitudes in-depth.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Language attitudes, linguistic authority and independence in 21st century Catalonia

Byrne

2019

Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development

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“…The field of Heritage Language Education has emerged and expanded in response to the presence of growing multilingual populations, often in response to national policies (or lack of) pertaining to language education. Many sociolinguistic studies have examined how language policy has treated Indigenous, heritage, and community languages throughout history and around the world contrasting localised experiences (Norrby & Hajek, 2011;Seals & Shah, 2018;Vila & Brexta, 2013). In the West, language policies have evolved from colonial and nationalist policies aiming to eliminate Indigenous and local dialects to focusing on protection and inclusion of Indigenous and migrant language (Seals & Shah, 2018).…”

Section: Language Policymentioning

confidence: 99%

Alofa ki te tamā manu: Language, culture, identity, and wellbeing - Caring for gagana Tokelau and lea faka-Tonga in secondary education in Aotearoa New Zealand

Kennedy¹

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This applied thesis explores why continued access to Pacific language education is of importance in mainstream secondary education in Aotearoa. With a specific focus on gagana Tokelau and lea faka-Tonga, this research examines how mainstream secondary schools can provide continued access to language education in schools where immersion or bilingual education is not currently available. The impetus driving this research comes from my professional experience as a secondary school language teacher. Students I teach want to learn and/or maintain their heritage Pacific languages as part of their education but are often not able to within the curriculum. This is despite several current policies which explicitly promote the use of Pacific languages and cultures within the education system (Ministry of Education, 2019; 2020a). Furthermore, current interdisciplinary research informing educational policy and practice indicates that students thrive in their education, and experience a positive sense of wellbeing when they are strong in their own cultural identities (Franken et al, 2008; Ladson-Billings, 2017; Paris & Alim, 2017). In contrast, negotiation of strong cultural identities is challenging in the face of increasing language shift, such as is present in Tokelauan and Tongan communities in Aotearoa (Hunkin, 2012; McCaffery & McFall, 2010; Parsons, 2020). To address these issues, I locate my study by drawing on cross-disciplinary, international, and local literature, exploring the fields of critical education, Indigenous education, and applied critical sociolinguistics. My research questions are underpinned by three theoretical frameworks: (1) social justice (Freire, 1973; Phipps, 2019); (2) sociolinguistic (Norton, 2013) and Pacific (Anae, 2016; Mila-Schaaf, 2011; Tupuola, 2004; Vaai & Nabobo-Baba, 2017) theories of identity; and (3) edgewalking (Krebs, 1999). These theories support the investigation of the research questions, which explore (1) connections between language, culture, identity, and wellbeing; (2) how secondary school experiences of Pacific language education connect with future imagined identities; and (3) reported experiences and beliefs about challenges related to school-based continued access to Pacific language education. The research questions apply a critical strengths-based approach which allows for a positive focus on current efforts and initiatives in communities as a platform for further development, whilst not ignoring struggle (Blackledge & Creese, 2010; Heller et al, 2018; Mila, 2014). The theoretically driven methodological approach looks to relational vā-inspired and critical ethnographic methodologies to support and place the caring and nurturing of relationships and community driven outcomes at the centre of the project (Airini et al, 2010; Anae, 2016; Ponton, 2018). Working together with communities, I am guided by two Tokelauan values: tautua (to serve) and alofa ki te tamā manu (nurturing those in need). In this way, the thesis is about the critical act of partnering ‘doing’ or ‘praxis’ (Freire, 1973; Phipps, 2019) with research. Multiple participant perspectives (community members, students, teachers, and school leaders) and a bricolage of methods (talanoa-inspired interviews and focus group discussions, participant observations, fieldnotes, ongoing service in communities) capture the voices of different stakeholders to contribute a community-centred, complex data set. Findings illustrate how Tokelauan and Tongan community members, and secondary students connect language and culture with (1) confidence and self-esteem, (2) Indigenous understandings of identity and wellbeing, and (3) authentic cultural identity with wellbeing. In addition, data show how multilingualism is the norm in Pacific identities and how the (de)valuing of multilingualism in education can enhance or hinder identity and wellbeing. Exploration of future imagined identities indicates how access to Pacific language education in secondary school supports increased cultural, social, and material capital; language maintenance; and valuing of language. Furthermore, access to language education provides a safe space to critically explore issues of language, culture, and identities and enables community and school partnerships to support sustainable speech communities. Analysing challenges experienced in relation to provision of Pacific language education, specifically gagana Tokelau and lea faka-Tonga highlight the many local and systemic-level issues within communities, the education system, and wider society that need to be addressed if equity and social justice in language education is to prevail. Theoretical insights, and analysis of affordances and challenges from the findings provide suggestions for potential ways forward in both educational practice and policy. Moreover, the research process documents my own journey in attempting to decolonise approaches to language education in my practice as a teacher. Working together with communities, and guided by two Tokelauan values: tautua (to serve) and alofa ki te tamā manu (nurturing those in need), I hope this project can further support community efforts by adding to the growing body of research (Bland, forthcoming; May, 2020; Milne, 2017; Si‘ilata et al, 2019) calling for a systemic approach to nurturing Pacific languages in Aotearoa through education.

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1. The Analysis of Medium-Sized Language Communities

Cited by 2 publications

References 0 publications

Language attitudes, linguistic authority and independence in 21st century Catalonia

Language attitudes, linguistic authority and independence in 21st century Catalonia

Alofa ki te tamā manu: Language, culture, identity, and wellbeing - Caring for gagana Tokelau and lea faka-Tonga in secondary education in Aotearoa New Zealand

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