The Multilingual Citizen

The Multilingual Citizen
Author: Lisa Lim
Publisher: Multilingual Matters
Total Pages: 396
Release: 2018-02-27
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1783099674

In this ground-breaking collection of essays, the editors and authors develop the idea of Linguistic Citizenship. This notion highlights the importance of practices whereby vulnerable speakers themselves exercise control over their languages, and draws attention to the ways in which alternative voices can be inserted into processes and structures that otherwise alienate those they were designed to support. The chapters discuss issues of decoloniality and multilingualism in the global South, and together retheorize how to accommodate diversity in complexly multilingual/ multicultural societies. Offering a framework anchored in transformative notions of democratic and reflexive citizenship, it prompts readers to critically rethink how existing contemporary frameworks such as Linguistic Human Rights rest on disempowering forms of multilingualism that channel discourses of diversity into specific predetermined cultural and linguistic identities.

Nations, Language and Citizenship

Nations, Language and Citizenship
Author: Norman Berdichevsky
Publisher: McFarland
Total Pages: 289
Release: 2018-02-22
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 0786427000

This study evaluates the importance of language in achieving a sense of national solidarity, considering factors such as territory, religion, race, historical continuity, and memory. It investigates the historical experiences of countries and ethnic or regional minorities according to how their political leadership, intellectual elite, or independence movements answered the question, "Who are we?" The Americans, British, and Australians all speak English, just as the French, Haitians, and French-Canadians all speak French, sharing common historical origin, vocabulary and usage--but each nationality's use of its language differs. So does language transform a citizenry into a community / or is a "national language" the product of idealogy? This work presents 26 case studies and raises three questions: whether the people of independent countries consider language the most important factor in creating their sense of nationality; whether the people living in multi-ethnic states or as regional minorities are most loyal to the community with which they share a language or the community with which they share citizenship; and whether people in countries with civil strife find a common language enough to create a sense of political solidarity. The study also covers hybrid languages, language revivals, the difference between dialects and languages, government efforts to promote or avoid bilingualism, the manipulation of spelling and alphabet reform. Illustrations include postage stamps, banknotes, flags, and posters illustrating language controversies. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Struggles for Multilingualism and Linguistic Citizenship

Struggles for Multilingualism and Linguistic Citizenship
Author: Quentin Williams
Publisher: Channel View Publications
Total Pages: 340
Release: 2022-07-08
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1800415338

This book offers a fresh perspective on the social life of multilingualism through the lens of the important notion of linguistic citizenship. All of the chapters are underpinned by a theoretical and methodological engagement with linguistic citizenship as a useful heuristic through which to understand sociolinguistic processes in late modernity, focusing in particular on linguistic agency and voices on the margins of our societies. The authors take stock of conservative, liberal, progressive and radical social transformations in democracies in the north and south, and consider the implications for multilingualism as a resource, as a way of life and as a feature of identity politics. Each chapter builds on earlier research on linguistic citizenship by illuminating how multilingualism (in both theory and practice) should be, or could be, thought of as inclusive when we recognize what multilingual speakers do with language for voice and agency.

Language and Citizenship in Japan

Language and Citizenship in Japan
Author: Nanette Gottlieb
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 242
Release: 2012-12-12
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 1136503161

The relationship between language and citizenship in Japan has traditionally been regarded as a fixed tripartite: ‘Japanese citizenship’ means ‘Japanese ethnicity,’ which in turn means ‘Japanese as one’s first language.’ Historically, most non-Japanese who have chosen to take out citizenship have been members of the ‘oldcomer’ Chinese and Korean communities, born and raised in Japan. But this is changing: the last three decades have seen an influx of ‘newcomer’ economic migrants from a wide range of countries, many of whom choose to stay. The likelihood that they will apply for citizenship, to access the benefits it confers, means that citizenship and ethnicity can no longer be assumed to be synonyms in Japan. This is an important change for national discourse on cohesive communities. This book’s chapters discuss discourses, educational practices, and local linguistic practices which call into question the accepted view of the language-citizenship nexus in lived contexts of both existing Japanese citizens and potential future citizens. Through an examination of key themes relating both to newcomers and to an older group of citizens whose language practices have been shaped by historical forces, these essays highlight the fluid relationship of language and citizenship in the Japanese context.

Language, Immigration and Naturalization

Language, Immigration and Naturalization
Author: Ariel Loring
Publisher: Multilingual Matters
Total Pages: 185
Release: 2016-04-20
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1783095172

This volume focuses on the everyday legalities and practicalities of naturalization including governmental processes, the language of citizenship tests and classes, the labelling and lived experiences of immigrants/outsiders and the media’s interpretation of this process. The book brings together scholars from a wide range of specialities who accentuate language and raise issues that often remain unarticulated or masked in the media. The contributors highlight how governmental policies and practices affect native-born citizens and residents differently on the basis of legal status. Furthermore, the authors observe that many issues that are typically seen as affecting immigrants (such as language policies, nationalist identities and feelings of belonging) also impact first-generation native-born citizens who are seen as, or see themselves as, outsiders.

Citizenship and Language Learning

Citizenship and Language Learning
Author: Audrey Osler
Publisher: Trentham Books
Total Pages: 168
Release: 2005
Genre: Citizenship
ISBN: 9781858563343

This volume is the result of a British Council seminar on language and citizenship ...

Learning the Language of Global Citizenship

Learning the Language of Global Citizenship
Author: Adrian J. Wurr
Publisher: Jossey-Bass
Total Pages: 488
Release: 2007-01-09
Genre: Education
ISBN:

While addressing the implications of rising multilingualism in America, Learning the Language of Global Citizenship explores the link between the achievement gap and academic language proficiency, as well as civic literacy and the individuals' motivation for civic engagement. In this book, the authors show how service-learning enhances language learning, international understanding, and global civic participation skills. This is a topical book designed for practical use by service-learning and language educators in applied linguistics and related disciplines such as English, foreign languages, hearing and speech sciences, and TESOL. It introduces readers to current and unique approaches toward research on first- and second-language acquisition, language policy and planning, language testing and methodology, assessment, and bilingualism. The book also raises fundamental questions for undergraduate and graduate courses with social justice themes by considering educational, linguistic, and human rights issues. Learning the Language of Global Citizenship is divided into four parts: Theoretical framework for developing service-learning projects in applied linguistics Domestic service-learning efforts International service-learning efforts Service-learning research reports representing Spanish, TESOL, teacher education, and composition studies The authors make a convincing case for promoting and preparing learners for educated and engaged citizenship in both local and global arenas. Each of the projects and methods they describe emphasizes the importance of second language proficiency for establishing and sustaining academic community partnerships in today's multilingual and multicultural societies.

Acts of Citizenship

Acts of Citizenship
Author: Engin F. Isin
Publisher: Zed Books Ltd.
Total Pages: 462
Release: 2013-04-04
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 184813598X

This book introduces the concept of 'act of citizenship' and in doing so, re-orients the study of what it means to be a citizen. Isin and Nielsen show that an 'act of citizenship' is the event through which subjects constitute themselves as citizens. They claim that such an act involves both responsibility and answerability, but is ultimately irreducible to either. This study of citizenship is truly interdisciplinary, drawing not only on new developments in politics, sociology, geography and anthropology, but also on psychoanalysis, philosophy and history. Ranging from Antigone and Socrates in the ancient world to checkpoints, euthanasia and flash mobs in the modern one, the 'acts' and chapters here build up a dynamic and wide-ranging picture. Acts of Citizenship provides important new insights for all those concerned with the relationship between individuals, groups and polities.

Multicultural and Citizenship Awareness Through Language

Multicultural and Citizenship Awareness Through Language
Author: Eleni Grivas
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2017-04-30
Genre: Education
ISBN: 9781536126792

This book offers a theoretical backdrop on issues related to multicultural education and intercultural approaches to language pedagogy as well as a wide repertoire of educational practices for developing intercultural awareness and communication along with the enhancement of second/foreign language skills development. Considering the growing multicultural nature of education as well as the development of cultural knowledge, intercultural awareness constitutes a significant parameter in promoting effective communication and mutual understanding, leading to social inclusion beyond the classroom boundaries. These cultural dimensions stress the need for teachers to adopt effective practices (in the foreign language classroom) that blend intercultural knowledge and understanding, and enable students to identify themselves, understand others, and use a foreign language to convey and create a cultural reality. It provides a space to academics, researchers and practitioners to present studies and projects that create an environment of interculturality in foreign language classrooms, in an attempt to open students' minds towards the acceptance of cultural otherness. This book does not pretend to be a work about theory; the authors do not, for example, delve into the complexities of the relationship between language, culture and globalization. The focus is on the manner with which teachers perceive the cultural dimension of foreign language teaching and learning as well as their students knowledge of and attitudes toward the target language countries, including their reflections on their own teaching practices. The contributors of this book report and reflect on practices that heighten students multicultural sensitivity and intercultural awareness, and are relevant to a range of stakeholders. They also discuss challenges of cross-curricular and CLIL applications in diverse contexts based on playful activities and stories that make students know and apply the culturally appropriate behaviour that goes with a second/foreign language. The book consists of a selection of thirteen chapters that comprise eleven studies conducted by the two authors, Eleni Griva and Vasilios Zorbas, in collaboration with some researchers. Moreover, two colleagues, who are experts in the field of multiculturalism and intercultural communication, were invited to submit a chapter for this book, which is divided into three parts: The first part, consisting of four chapters, focuses on multicultural education issues. The second part, consisting of six chapters, discusses the role of play in multicultural awareness/ intercultural communication and second/foreign language development. The third part, consisting of three chapters, centers on aspects and considerations of the CLIL and multicultural/citizenship awareness.

Speaking American

Speaking American
Author: Zevi Gutfreund
Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press
Total Pages: 430
Release: 2019-03-07
Genre: Education
ISBN: 0806163550

When Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Bilingual Education Act of 1968, language learning became a touchstone in the emerging culture wars. Nowhere was this more apparent than in Los Angeles, where elected officials from both political parties had supported the legislation, and where the most disruptive protests over it occurred. The city, with its diverse population of Latinos and Asian Americans, is the ideal locus for Zevi Gutfreund’s study of how language instruction informed the social construction of American citizenship. Combining the history of language instruction, school desegregation, and civil rights activism as it unfolded in Japanese American and Mexican American communities in L.A., this timely book clarifies the critical and evolving role of language instruction in twentieth-century American politics. Speaking American reveals how, for generations, language instruction offered a forum for Angelino educators to articulate their responses to policies that racialized access to citizenship—from the “national origins” immigration quotas of the Progressive Era through Congress’s removal of race from these quotas in 1965. Meanwhile, immigrant communities designed language experiments to counter efforts to limit their liberties. Gutfreund’s book is the first to place the experiences of Mexican Americans and Japanese Americans side by side as they navigated debates over Americanization programs, intercultural education, school desegregation, and bilingual education. In the process, the book shows, these language experiments helped Angelino immigrants introduce competing concepts of citizenship that were tied to their actions and deeds rather than to the English language itself. Complicating the usual top-down approach to the history of racial politics in education, Speaking American recognizes the ways in which immigrant and ethnic activists, as well as white progressives and conservatives, have been deeply invested in controlling public and private aspects of language instruction in Los Angeles. The book brings compelling analytic depth and breadth to its examination of the social and political landscape in a city still at the epicenter of American immigration politics.