Language and National Identity

Comparing France and Sweden

Leigh Oakes | Queen Mary, University of London

Hardbound – Available

ISBN 9789027218483 (Eur) | EUR 115.00

ISBN 9781588111166 (USA) | USD 173.00

e-Book –

ISBN 9789027297648 | EUR 115.00 | USD 173.00

This book re-examines the relationship between language and national identity. Unlike many previous studies, it employs a comparative approach: France and Sweden have been chosen as case studies both for their
similarities (e.g. both are member states of the European Union) as well as their important differences (e.g. France subscribes in principle to a civic model of national identity, whereas the basis of Swedish identity is
undeniably ethnic). It is precisely differences such as these which allow for a more comprehensive understanding of the ethnolinguistic implications of some of the major challenges currently facing France, Sweden and other European countries: regionalism, immigration, European integration and globalization.

The present volume benefits from the use of a multidisciplinary approach, and differs from others on the market because of the variety of methods of inquiry used. A series of societal analyses is complemented by an empirical
component, bringing a more grounded understanding to the issue of language and national identity.

[IMPACT: Studies in Language, Culture and Society, 13] 2001. x, 305 pp.

Publishing status: Available
Published online on 21 October 2008

https://doi.org/10.1075/impact.13

Table of Contents

Preface | p. vii

Acknowledgements | p. ix

1. Introduction | p. 1

2. Basic concepts | p. 9

3. Theoretical framework | p. 29

4. Language and national identity: A general perspective | p. 49

5. Language and national identity in the national arena | p. 79

6. Language and national identity in the European arena | p. 127

7. Language and national identity in the global arena | p. 147

8. Language and national identity in France and Sweden: A survey | p. 175

9. Conclusion | p. 229

Notes | p. 239

Appendix A: Questionnaire in French | p. 249

Appendix B: Questionnaire in Swedish | p. 257

Index of subjects | p. 293

Index of names | p. 300

“The value of O's research lies in the unique comparison of her history of official policies and actions concerning language and national identity to the synchronic study of speakers at a grassroots level. This book will be appreciated by those with interests in the areas of language attitude studies, the effects of language standardization, the globalization of English, and more particularly by those monitoring linguistics pressures in Europe.”

Annette Harrison, University of California at Santa Barbara & SIL, in Language 80(4), 2004

“This book offers a very comprehensive look at language and national identity in France and Sweden and provides a useful model for conducting similar comparative analyses.”

Cecilia Cutler, New York University in LINGUIST List: Vol-13-1405. May 20 2002

“

This is an extremely impressive book from the point of view of the scholarship behind it...a fine reassessment of the question of the relationship between language and national identity, something that is central to the French experience.

”

Jim Walker, University of Lumiere Lyon II in French Language Studies 13, 2003

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Subjects

Linguistics

Language policy

Sociolinguistics and Dialectology

Main BIC Subject

CF: Linguistics

Main BISAC Subject

LAN009000: LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Linguistics / General

ONIX Metadata

ONIX 2.1

ONIX 3.0

U.S. Library of Congress Control Number: 2001043496 | Marc record