Official Language Regimes

This volume has two aims: first, to interpret long-term structural/systemic transformations in the maturation of a specific type of language regime (those with a majoritarian state language and an officially designated minority language); and secondly, to identify and evaluate instances of good practice policy interventions which strengthen the promotion, protection and regulation of selected target languages in Western Europe and Canada. The interviews and documentary analysis within the book were carried out in eight jurisdictions ranging from Canada to Catalonia together with several international organisations and networks, and together they provide an authoritative set of insights into the process of constructing and managing such regimes. This book will be of interest to readers in a variety of fields, including Sociolinguistics, Language Policy, Human Geography, Multilingualism, Regional Development Planning, Celtic and European Studies.

Offers both a longitudinal and contemporary interpretation of the operation of Official Language Regimes Provides accounts of the views of key decision-makers including politicians, public servants, lawyers and scholars Offers good practice transfer and policy recommendations for scholars and practitioners

Autorentext

Colin H. Williams is an Emeritus Professor in the School of Welsh at Cardiff University and VHI Senior Research Associate at St Edmund's College, University of Cambridge, UK.

Klappentext

"In this volume renowned sociolinguist Colin H. Williams offers a fascinating exploration of Official Language Regimes. Drawing on decades of comparative research across diverse contexts, he analyses their evolution, challenges, and opportunities in Canada and for minority languages like Irish, Welsh, Basque, and Catalan. He provides fundamental insights into managing language diversity, addressing power relations, and democracy, offering proposals for improvement of language equality among new challenges like migration, information technology, and artificial intelligence.."

Prof. Durk Gorter , Professor Emeritus at University of the Basque Country

This volume is another tour de force from Colin Williams who examines current developments in official bilingual language regimes with a detailed comparative analysis of the ideology, capacity and policy interventions of government agencies from Canada, Ireland and Wales to the Basque Autonomous Community and Catalonia. This excellent book will be essential reading for language policy makers, postgraduates, researchers and language planning practitioners.

Dr Katheryn Jones , Iaith: Center for Language Planning

This volume has two aims: first, to interpret long-term structural/systemic transformations in the maturation of a specific type of language regime (those with a majoritarian state language and an officially designated minority language); and secondly, to identify and evaluate instances of good practice policy interventions which strengthen the promotion, protection and regulation of selected target languages in Western Europe and Canada. The interviews and documentary analysis within the book were carried out in eight jurisdictions ranging from Canada to Catalonia together with several international organisations and networks, and together they provide an authoritative set of insights into the process of constructing and managing such regimes. This book will be of interest to readers in a variety of fields, including Sociolinguistics, Language Policy, Human Geography, Multilingualism, Regional Development Planning, Celtic and European Studies.

**Colin H. Williams** is an Emeritus Professor in the School of Welsh at Cardiff University and VHI Senior Research Associate at St Edmund's College, University of Cambridge, UK.

Inhalt

Chapter 1: The Transformation of Official Bilingual Regimes.- Chapter 2: Canada's Enduring Linguistic Duality.- Chapter 3: Canada: The Evolution of the Institutional Frame.- Chapter 4: Ireland: Interventionist Agencies and Strategies.- Chapter 5: Welsh Initiatives Promoting Language Use Opportunities and Outcomes.- Chapter 6: The Basque Autonomous Community: The Vision and the Obligation.- Chapter 7: Catalan Convictions.- Chapter 8: The Digital Impress.- Chapter 9: Conclusion.