Article In: Language Problems and Language Planning: Online-First Articles
Voices from oblivion
Towards a more nuanced and systematic reappraisal of sociolinguistics’ colorful past
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Abstract
While acknowledging the innovative thrust of the sociolinguistics of globalization as a dominant branch of
sociolinguistics in the first quarter of the 21st century, this paper questions some of its sweeping generalizations when it comes
to portraying the contributions of ‘older’ branches of sociolinguistics (including so-called ‘Fishmanian sociolinguistics’) to the
advancement of the study of language in society. By respectfully drawing on the work of a variety of scholars, it seeks to
highlight how a systematic historiography of the ideas, beliefs, and conceptual frameworks that have shaped and continue to shape
sociolinguistics can help to offer a richer and more nuanced sense of its colorful past as a basis to face some of the societal
challenges ahead. It is argued that such an approach could be particularly beneficial for language policy and planning as a field
of study that seeks to bridge the divide between academia and real life.
Résumé
Des voix sorties de l’oubli: pour une relecture plus nuancée et plus systématique du passé pluriel de la sociolinguistique
Tout en reconnaissant la portée novatrice de la sociolinguistique de la globalisation, devenue l’un des
courants dominants de la sociolinguistique durant le premier quart du XXIe siècle, cet article remet en question certaines de ses
généralisations lorsqu’il s’agit de présenter les contributions des courants « plus anciens » de la sociolinguistique (y compris
la « sociolinguistique fishmanienne ») à l’avancement de l’étude du langage en société. En s’appuyant respectueusement sur les
travaux d’un éventail de chercheurs, il cherche à montrer comment une historiographie systématique des idées, des convictions et
des cadres conceptuels qui ont façonné et continuent de façonner la sociolinguistique peut contribuer à offrir une vision plus
riche et plus nuancée de son passé, permettant ainsi de mieux appréhender certains des défis sociétaux à venir. L’article soutient
qu’une telle approche pourrait être particulièrement féconde pour l’étude de la politique et de la planification linguistiques, un
domaine de recherche qui vise à jeter un pont entre le monde académique et la réalité sociale.
Resumo
Voĉoj el forgesujo: cele al pli nuanca kaj sistema repritakso de la bunta pasinteco de socilingvistiko
Kvankam agnoskante la novigan emfazon de la socilingvistiko de tutmondiĝo kiel domina branĉo de
socilingvistiko en la unua kvarono de la dudekunua jarcento, la nuna referaĵo demandosignas kelkajn ĝiajn larĝajn ĝeneraligojn, se
temas pri prezento de la kontribuoj de “pli malnovaj” branĉoj de socilingvistiko (inkluzive la tielnomatan ‘socilingvistikon laŭ
Fishman’) al antaŭenigo de la studado de t.n. lingvo en socio. Respektoplene ekzempligante la laboron de diversaj sciencistoj, la
artikolo celas prilumi la manieron laŭ kiu sistema historiografio de la ideoj, kredoj kaj konceptaj kadroj kiuj formis kaj daŭre
formas socilingvistikon povas helpi proponi pli riĉan kaj nuancan senton de ĝia bunta pasinteco kiel bazon por fronti kelkajn el
inter la sociaj defioj kiuj staras antaŭ ni. Estas asertite, ke tia aliro estus aparte utila por lingvopolitiko kaj lingvoplanado
kiel studokampo kiu celas transponti la dividon inter la akademia mondo kaj la reala vivo.
Article outline
- Introduction
- The sociolinguistics of globalization in a nutshell
- Critical voices
- Sociolinguistics’ colorful past
- Complementary waves of LPP research
- Wrap-up and outlook
- Disclosure Statement
- Notes
- Author queries
References
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