Language, Society and the State in a Changing World

Description

This book addresses the changing contemporary language worlds in three major contexts. It first discusses how the language landscape maps of cities are changing as a result of increased migration, globalization and global media. These features are evident in place names and place name changes as well as the densities and frequencies of language spoken and used in texts. The second section discusses how the state itself is responding to both indigenous and heritage groups desiring to be included and represented in the state’s political landscapes and also expressions of art and culture. In the third section, the authors address a number of cutting-edge theses that are emerging in the linguistic geography and political words. These include the importance of gender, anthropogenetic discourse, the preservation of endangered languages and challenges to a state’s official language policy. Through including authors from nine different countries, who are writing about issues in twelve countries and their overlapping interests in language mapping, language usage and policy and visual representations, this book provides inspiring research into future topics at local, national, regional and international scales.  Contents Part 1 Mapping Language Landscapes A Typology for Evaluating Language Maps Introduction Language Mapping: Foundations and Developments Critical Reflection on Language Mapping Toward a Tool for Understanding Language Maps Presenting the Evaluative Language Mapping Typology (ELM-T) Discussion and Conclusion References Issues in Classifying and Mapping the Semitic Languages of Ethiopia Introduction Inconsistent Theories of Semitic Language Origins Issues in the Classification of Languages Genealogical Classifications Geographical Classifications and Patterns Core Areas of Current Debate Major Challenges in Classifications Mapping Issues Basic Notions of Mapping Implications of Selected Language Maps Implications of Selected Linguistic Maps Limitations of Existing Maps Major Mapping Challenges Summary and Conclusion References Exploring the Linguistic Landscape of Cities Through Crowdsourced Data Traditions and Trends in Linguistic Landscapes Research Lingscape: Background Crowdsourcing and Computation: Data-Driven Linguistic Landscape Research Power Users and Passersby: Participatory Linguistic Landscape Research Signage and Schools: Educational Linguistic Landscape Research Conclusion Data Statement Changing Attitudes of Beijingness to Westernized Place Names in Beijing: From the Semi-Colonial Period to Postmodern Twenty-Fi... Introduction Perspectives and Tensions of Westernized Place Names Three Periods of the Westernized Place Names in Beijing Westernization of Place Names in the Late Qing Dynasty and the Early Republic Social Background of Semi-Colonies Only Two Short-Lived Westernized Place Names During This Period Anti-Westernization of Place Names in the Early Cultural Revolution Social Background Based on Extreme Left Street of Anti-imperialism and Street of Anti-revisionism Westernization of Place Names after the 1980s Social Background of Westernization in Place Name Westernization of Corporate and Real Estate Names Conclusions Thematic Categories for Place Names: Topology Typology Introduction Themes and Examples Familial and Local Resident Recognition Native People(s) Memorials Religion-Inspired Literary Inspiration Human Occupations and Activities Aspirational, Feelings, and Opinions Conflict, Death, and Negative Experiences Recognition of Other Locations Humorous Ideas and Unusual Thoughts Wildlife Physical Descriptions Atmospheric Conditions, Dates, and Seasonal Connections Combinations and Made-Up Names Misspellings and Mistakes Spatial Variability Conclusions Part 2 Language, Culture and Politics Palestine´s Land Centrality and the Instrumentality of Historical Language Introduction: Land Centrality and Colonial Zionism Colonial Formations: Indigenous People and the ``Linguistic Contours´´ Imagining the World: Language and the Making of the Modern World The Importance of Space Interplay Between History and Space The Spatiality of Politics and History Conclusion: Palestine and Linguistic Genocide The State of Languages in South Africa Introduction South Africa: Population and Language Demographics South African Languages: History, Legislation, and Policies Pidgination, Language Shift, and Identity in South Africa Sign Language and Language in Digital and Electronic Space in South Africa Conclusion Languages and Language Politics in the Paraguayan Chaco Introduction The Linguistic Landscape of the Paraguayan Chaco Territory Domains of Use Languages of the Paraguayan Chaco by Family Guaicuruan Matacoan Enlhet-Enenlhet Zamucoan Tupí-Guaraní Changes in Language Names and Linguistic Identification Indigenous Language Policy in Paraguay Ley de Lenguas No. 4251 (2010) Ley No. 3231 (2007): Indigenous Education The General Directorate of Indigenous Language Documentation and Promotion Discussion and Conclusions Reimaging the Art Scene in George Town, Penang Introduction Linguistic Landscape Research Murals as a Component of Linguistic Landscape Research Penang: Multiethnicity, Multilingualism, and Multiculturalism The Present Study Data Collection Analytical Framework Murals in George Town Ethnic Representations Lifestyle in the Old Days Support for Current Issues Concluding Remarks References Exploring Climate Change Through the Language of Art Introduction Disseminating the Message Disappearing Islands Hand-Weaving Vulnerable Coastlines Background Process The Liminal Project (2010-2016) Artworks Shifting Sands: Capturing Climatic and Cultural Change Through Art Project´s Structure, Approach, and Process Island as microcosm Concluding Remarks References Part 3 The Functions of Language on a Local and a Global Scale Preservation of Magahi Language in India: Contemporary Developments Introduction Origin and Diffusion Decline Rejuvenation Organization Agitation Construction Media Current Status Conclusion References Learning Indigenous Languages in Buenos Aires, Argentina Introduction The Racial Geography of Argentina Interculturality and Bilingual Intercultural Education Indigenous Language Programs in Buenos Aires Learning a Language from Here Conclusion Reclaiming Transformation for Inclusive and Multilingual Education through Linguistic Landscape (LL) in South Africa and Malay... Introduction Conceptual Framework Scientific Research and Definitions about Language Policy Origins, Areas, and Development of Linguistic Landscape Research Language Policy in South Africa and Malaysia The Weight of History for Language Policy in South Africa Impact of Precolonial History on Language Policy of Malaysia Research Area and Data Collection Schooling Environment and Beyond Type of Learning Environment A More Inclusive and Multilingual School Learning Languages in the Curriculum Learning Community Languages Conclusion References Dialect Diversity and Migration: Disturbances and Dilemmas, Perspectives from Norway Prologue Introduction The Complexity of ``Norwegian´´: Democracy and Dialect Diversity Globalization and Migration: New Speakers of Norwegian and English Demographic and Historical Background Learning ``Norwegian´´: A Dilemma for New Speakers or for Norway? English on the Rise: ``New Speakers of English´´ Disturbances for Both Old and New Speakers in the Country Conclusion Epilogue Rise of English as Business Lingua Franca at the Turn of the Century: An Overview Introduction Review of Relevant Literature Emergence of English in the International Arena Conclusion English and Bivalent Class Indexicality in Buenos Aires, Argentina Introduction The Sociolinguistic Landscape of English in Latin America and Argentina Excerpt 1 ``Snobs or Weird - No in Between´´ Excerpt 2 The Bivalent Class Indexicality of English in Argentina and the Changing World Language Map The Nature of Gender Relations: The Changing Language of Gender amid Anthropogenic Climate Change in Amazonian Peru Introduction Contextual Introduction to the Peruvian Amazon Floodplain Livelihoods Ribereños and Gendered Livelihoods Climate Change in Amazonia Evidence and Projections of Climate Change in Amazonia Human Dimensions of Climate Change in Rural Amazonia The Past, Present, and Future of Gender and Seasonality in Amazonian Floodplain Livelihoods Concluding Remarks References