Chapter 5 Language Topics

{{Multilingual States / Monolingual States{{

-multilingual examples

The U.S.

India

Canada

China

South Africa

Belgium

Nigeria

Russia

contain linguistic minorities → pwr imbalance (centrifugal)

-monolingual examples

North Korea

Japan

Iceland

France

not really exist

centripetal

-reasons for geography (Belgium)

distance decay by country borders

both indo-european

compete for power

Flanders wealthier, advocates to be separate

{{Centrifugal / Centripetal Forces{{

centrifugal - fracture

centripetal - pull together

centrifugal

multilingual states may experience tension when one language is prioritized over the other

Multilingual states may have difficulty communicating with each other

Cultural tension: Discrimination, segregation, barriers to social or political interactions, ethnocentrism.
Centrifugal political forces: Regionalized language areas within the country may seek independence or become areas of political or armed conflict; separatism may affect economy or weaken the political state (devolution).
Challenges to unity: Loss of understanding and translation problems with the creation of country-wide policies and/or the delivery of services.
Education: Higher public or private costs incurred to educate language groups separately or to include both languages in a single education system.
Economic disadvantages: Increased costs to print or broadcast public information, documents, signage, or provide public services, perform elections, or enforce laws and public safety; imposition on businesses, practically or legally, to advertise and provide products and services in more than one language.
External threat: Irredentism, any country using the excuse of linguistic connections to interfere with internal affairs of the other country.

centripetal

multilingual states create a strong identity tied to language

monolingual states are united by one language

Cultural diversity/multiculturalism: Bilingualism fosters an openness to immigrants, minority empowerment, minority rights, and the expression of unique cultural products (e.g. music, literature, film, television).
Political identity: Bilingualism attempts to establish local, regional, or provincial government, which allows some level of self-government and prevents potential political conflict.
Sense of place: Bilingualism gives minority language speakers a feeling of belonging or value and produces a unique cultural landscape (e.g., architecture, farming, signage).
Syncretic culture: The use of two languages leads to mixed figures of speech or synthetic vocabulary, or the use of two languages in a single conversation (code-switching), which leads to diverse social interaction.
Education: Bilingual students, as opposed to monolingual students, can have more improved knowledge, perspectives, and skill sets.
Political linkages: Bilingualism improves political relationships and creates additional allies.
Economic advantages: A multiple-language population can develop global business opportunities and promote tourism.

{{Language Tree / Branch for Multilingual States{{

Canada

French - Romance - Indo-European - Nostratic

English - West Germanic - Germanic - Indo-European - Nostratic

Belgium

French - Romance - Indo-European - Nostratic

Dutch - West Germanic - Germanic - Indo-European - Nostratic

India

English - West Germanic - Germanic - Indo-European - Nostratic

Hindi - Indo-Aryan - Indo-Iranian - Indo-European - Nostratic

}}Lingua Franca}}

-examples

English

Spanish

Mandarin

used for trade because its a common language

East Africa Swahili from muslin traders

reflects colonization + imperialism (French in Cameroon, English in India)

}}Historical Reasons}}

Imperialism + colonization → relocation

British, French, and Spanish empires

Conquest

Arabic with Islamic Empire and standardized within Islam

Trade Routes

Arabic Islamic Traders

}}Language Cultural Landscape}}

Toponyms are place names seen on the landscape and can reflect cultural identity

-show ownership/control/colonization (Bombay India from British colonization)

-prideful (Constantinople named after Constantine, Istabul meaning “to the city“ )

-show origins/settlement (St Petersburg Russia, Santa Barbara CA)

-commodification (Target Feild, U.S. Bank Stadium)

Ojibwe names

Ziinzibaakwutakaming

the place for making maple sugar

Ginewigwasensikag

long promontory of birch trees

"Those people really had a sense of place and a sense of belonging to the land," which is reflected in naming practices, said Rick Anderson, a Bois Forte tribal citizen who worked on the project.

"Young porcupine swimming place"

}}Centripetal / Centrifugal Forces}}

centrifugal - fracture

centripetal - pull together

centrifugal

multilingual states may experience tension when one language is prioritized over the other

Multilingual states may have difficulty communicating with each other

Cultural tension: Discrimination, segregation, barriers to social or political interactions, ethnocentrism.
Centrifugal political forces: Regionalized language areas within the country may seek independence or become areas of political or armed conflict; separatism may affect economy or weaken the political state (devolution).
Challenges to unity: Loss of understanding and translation problems with the creation of country-wide policies and/or the delivery of services.
Education: Higher public or private costs incurred to educate language groups separately or to include both languages in a single education system.
Economic disadvantages: Increased costs to print or broadcast public information, documents, signage, or provide public services, perform elections, or enforce laws and public safety; imposition on businesses, practically or legally, to advertise and provide products and services in more than one language.
External threat: Irredentism, any country using the excuse of linguistic connections to interfere with internal affairs of the other country.

centripetal

multilingual states create a strong identity tied to language

monolingual states are united by one language

Cultural diversity/multiculturalism: Bilingualism fosters an openness to immigrants, minority empowerment, minority rights, and the expression of unique cultural products (e.g. music, literature, film, television).
Political identity: Bilingualism attempts to establish local, regional, or provincial government, which allows some level of self-government and prevents potential political conflict.
Sense of place: Bilingualism gives minority language speakers a feeling of belonging or value and produces a unique cultural landscape (e.g., architecture, farming, signage).
Syncretic culture: The use of two languages leads to mixed figures of speech or synthetic vocabulary, or the use of two languages in a single conversation (code-switching), which leads to diverse social interaction.
Education: Bilingual students, as opposed to monolingual students, can have more improved knowledge, perspectives, and skill sets.
Political linkages: Bilingualism improves political relationships and creates additional allies.
Economic advantages: A multiple-language population can develop global business opportunities and promote tourism.