Small is Multilingual - Language and Identity in Micro-Territories

This book provides innovative research on the meaning and dynamics of multilingualism in the specific contexts of "micro-territories". Through the case studies of 10 micro-territories, the book offers a sociolinguistic analysis of two main types of smallness: islands such as Malta, Grenada, Sardinia, the Balearic islands and Taiwan, on the one hand, and small landlocked territories or countries such as Andorra, Aosta, Aran and Luxembourg, as well as the fragmented territory of Catalan-speaking Aragon, on the other hand. Taking into account the notion of micro-territory as a variable, language policies, language use and practices are analysed so as to offer new insights into the way multilingualism is conditioned by demographic and geographical factors. The book contains 5 chapters written in French, 5 in English, and an introduction in French.

List of contents

Microterritory, Microstate, Sociolinguistics, Multilingualism, Plurilingualism, Global, Local, Post-colonialism, National identity, Social bonding, Malta, Gozo, Grenada, Sardinia, Balearic Islands, Taiwan, Andorra, Aosta, Aran, Luxembourg, Aragon, Maltese, Gozitan, Grenadian creole, Sardinian, Catalan, Occitan, Indigenous languages.

About the author

Juan Jiménez-Salcedo is a professor of Translation Studies at Pablo de Olavide University (Sevilla, Spain). His current research focuses on language policy in Canada and Catalan-speaking territories.
Christine Hélot is an emerita professor of English at the University of Strasbourg (France). Her current research focuses on language in education policies in Europe and bi/multilingual education.
Antoinette Camilleri Grima is a professor of Applied Linguistics at the University of Malta. She researches in the areas of language pedagogy, plurilingualism and educational sociolinguistics.

Product details

• Assisted by: Antoinette Camilleri Grima (Editor), Jürgen Erfurt (Editor), Christine Helot (Editor), Juan Jiménez-Salcedo (Editor)
• Publisher: Peter Lang
• Languages: English, French
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 01.01.2020
• EAN: 9783631833414
• ISBN: 978-3-631-83341-4
• No. of pages: 250
• Dimensions: 148 mm x 23 mm x 210 mm
• Weight: 435 g
• Illustrations: 25 Abb.
• Series: Sprache, Mehrsprachigkeit und sozialer Wandel. Language. Multilinguism and Social Change. Langue, multilinguisme et changement social; Sprache, Mehrsprachigkeit und sozialer Wandel / Language, Multilingualism and Social Change / Langue, multilinguisme et changement social
• Subject: Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > Romance linguistics / literary studies