Agency in the Peripheries of Language Revitalisation

Examining European Practices on the Ground

Mary S Linn editor Alejandro Dayán-Fernández editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Multilingual Matters

Published:14th May '24

£89.95

This title is due to be published on 14th May, and will be despatched as soon as possible.

This hardback is available in another edition too:

Agency in the Peripheries of Language Revitalisation cover

Has a unique focus on the issue of agency in minority language revitalisation in Europe

This book addresses the question of agency in the revitalisation of minoritised languages in Europe. The chapters investigate how grassroots actors shape revitalisation, and how individuals and groups negotiate historical factors, motivations, and institutionalised initiatives and policies in a variety of efforts.

This book addresses the question of agency in the revitalisation of minoritised languages in Europe, with each chapter presenting an ethnographic account of how language policy operates in a specific linguistic context. The chapters investigate how grassroots actors shape revitalisation, and how individuals and groups negotiate historical factors, motivations, and institutionalised initiatives and policies in a variety of efforts. Between them the chapters address both contexts where social actors have gained and exerted agency in their revitalisation efforts, and contexts where issues of authority, authenticity and lack of engagement plague efforts; these chapters provide insights into how social actors work within and against social conventions and strictures.

This book is available Open Access under a CC BY ND License.

The case studies in this volume provide valuable ethnographic insights into the practices of social actors – both individual and collective – who are using and promoting minoritised languages in early 21st century Europe. Additionally, the authors’ discussions of the nature of agency in language revitalisation make a significant contribution to advancing both theory and practice in this field. * Haley De Korne, University of Oslo, Norway *
Agency and self-empowerment are at the very core of language reclamation efforts, forming a powerful, self-propelling social mechanism. This cutting-edge book shows the complexity of the notion of agency and the potential of ‘peripheries’ as creative hubs of language diversity, affirming that it is indeed possible to challenge the homogenizing legacy of nation states. * Justyna Olko, University of Warsaw, Poland *
This book explores the processes and histories of revival in Europe's minority languages, exploring agency dynamics and structural constraints. It enriches sociolinguistic discussions by emphasizing the complexity of the agency, evaluating emotional forces, and involving diverse actors. Beyond conventional concepts, revitalization is seen as being driven by passion and emotion, advocating for research on emotional mobilization. Challenging traditional dichotomies, this book undoubtedly offers valuable insights for scholars and practitioners in minority language revitalization. * Tomasz Wicherkiewicz, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poland *

ISBN: 9781800416260

Dimensions: 234mm x 156mm x 14mm

Weight: 450g

196 pages