Multilingualism, Language Contact and Majority–Minority Relations in Contemporary Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania

Abstract

Background to the Volume: Multilingualism in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia Throughout TimeWhen we were asked a few years ago whether we wished to edit a book on multilingualism in the Baltic states, it did not cross our minds that the book would be published in 2018-a year which is of particularly symbolic meaning for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. This year, the three countries are celebrating the 100th anniversaries of their formation:

Language competence in education: Re-thinking minority issues in Lithuania

“…The language policies, linguistic integration, and education of ethnic minorities across the Baltic states have been addressed in many publications (Hogan-Brun et al 2005, Siiner 2006, Druviete 1997, Druviete, Ozolins 2016, Rannut 2008, Hogan-Brun, Ozolins, Ramonienė, Rannut 2009, Muiznieks 2010, Potashenko 2010, Vihalemm 2010, Marten et al 2012, Vihalemm, Hogan-Brun 2013, Veisbergs 2013, Lauze, Kļava et al 2016, Vaicekauskienė, Šepetys 2016, Lazdiņa 2013, Lazdiņa, Marten 2019. However, there are indications that there still exists a need for more systematic and interdisciplinary research of sociolinguists, educational scientists, sociologists, and practitioners to understand the dynamics of languages in education.…”

“…Moreover, although languages and societies in the post-Soviet transition era with a special focus on language policies and ideologies are still debated intensively, integration based on 21st-century reality where questions such as nation-building based on a common language and culture are doubted (cf. Lazdiņa, Marten 2019, Giordano 2019) starts to get prominence, especially in the themes of education, economy, and social studies in general. The last decade marks salient dynamics towards more tolerant and open dialog between majority and minority groups, and the language "issue" seems to be not as crucial as it was two decades ago.…”

Canadian Immersion, Baltic Transitional Bilingual Education and European Plurilingualism

“…After regaining their independence, the two happened to be in a similar linguistic predicament: a quarter of their citizens were ethnically Russian and the number of those speaking Russian as their first (and often their only) language was even higher. Focusing on derussification and assimilation of their Russian-speaking minorities, Estonian and Latvian governments adopted ius sanguinis citizenship laws and became officially monolingual, the revised legislation imposing occupation restrictions and affecting education policies and practices (Lazdiņa & Marten, 2019;Pavlenko, 2008Pavlenko, , 2011.…”

Nordic and Baltic Perspectives in Canadian Studies: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Northern Spaces Narratives

“…After regaining their independence, the two happened to be in a similar linguistic predicament: a quarter of their citizens were ethnically Russian and the number of those speaking Russian as their first (and often their only) language was even higher. Focusing on derussification and assimilation of their Russian-speaking minorities, Estonian and Latvian governments adopted ius sanguinis citizenship laws and became officially monolingual, the revised legislation imposing occupation restrictions and affecting education policies and practices (Lazdiņa & Marten, 2019;Pavlenko, 2008Pavlenko, , 2011.…”