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This book deals with the past, present, and possible future of minority languages. It begins with a number of relevant concepts in macro-sociolinguistics as a background for analyzing the problems associated with minority languages. The fundamental question posed throughout is whether these minority languages will continue to exist, caught as they are in the strong currents of national and international development. A history of the society and language is given for each area. Comparisons are made in quantitative terms, in addition to interpretations based on the spontaneous remarks of interviewees. Beyond the statistical comparisons between samples and the differences of age, gender, and social class, the attitudes of the interviewees toward their respective minority language make the reader aware of the emotional reactions to questions of ethnic and language identity. In the final chapter, language planning is discussed.
List of contents
Preface
Bilingualism: Issues and Definitions
Bilingual Societies: Patterns in Continuity and Change
The Celtic Languages: Marginality and Defiance
Three Romance Languages: Past and Present
The American Scene: Pennsylvania German
Research Methods and the Samples
Subcultures, Codes, and Language Maintenance
Language Socialization and Cross-Pressures: Attitudes and Projections
Conclusions
Appendix A: A Note on Methodology
Appendix B: Geographic Composition of the Samples
References
Author Index
Subject Index
About the author
Robert C. Williamson
