Transcript
Esperanto and minority languagesChallenges and opportunities
Federico GobboUniversity of Turin Italyfedericogobbounitoit
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy
University of Liverpool UKOctober 17 2013
1 of 26
What is a minority language
European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
The definition
languages traditionally used within a given territory of a state bynationals of that state who form a group numerically smallerthan the rest of the statersquos population they are different fromthe official language(s) of that state and they include neitherdialects of the official language(s) of the state nor the languagesof migrants (ECRML Art 1 ndash Definitions)
Let us consider some consequences
3 of 26
Only a matter of number of (native) speakers
Wikipedia our repository of common-sense knowledge states that ldquoaminority language is a language spoken by a minority of thepopulation of a territorrdquo This is a half-truth
The problem of the (false) equivalence lsquominority languages =lesser-used languagesrsquo where is the border of lesser-usage
100000 native speakers
10000
1000
We need to re-engineer the concept of minority languages
4 of 26
Italy a multilingual nation-state (look only to colours)
A taxonomy of minority languages
Letrsquos take Italy as the reference territory for further analysis
Edwards [1] introduced a taxonomy of minority languages where
local-only minority languages are for example German FrenchSlovene (they are national language elsewhere)
unique minority languages are for example Piedmontese Venetian(settled only in Italy only in a minority status)
non-unique minority languages an example is Catalan (present inmore than one state but never at a national level)
6 of 26
A taxonomy of minority languages
Letrsquos take Italy as the reference territory for further analysis
Edwards [1] introduced a taxonomy of minority languages where
local-only minority languages are for example German FrenchSlovene (they are national language elsewhere)
unique minority languages are for example Piedmontese Venetian(settled only in Italy only in a minority status)
non-unique minority languages an example is Catalan (present inmore than one state but never at a national level)
6 of 26
A taxonomy of minority languages
Letrsquos take Italy as the reference territory for further analysis
Edwards [1] introduced a taxonomy of minority languages where
local-only minority languages are for example German FrenchSlovene (they are national language elsewhere)
unique minority languages are for example Piedmontese Venetian(settled only in Italy only in a minority status)
non-unique minority languages an example is Catalan (present inmore than one state but never at a national level)
6 of 26
The paradox of South Tyrol in Italy
From a state perspective German is a minority language from theprovincial perspective it is not ndash paraphrasing Edwards [1]
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Is Esperanto a minoritylanguage
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language
Two examples
11 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language Two examples
11 of 26
The typical discourse behind minority languages
Language activists talk about ethnical cultural and historicalauthenticity An example from Menominee an Algonquian languagespoken in norther Wisconsin and Michingan studied by BloomfieldSapir and Skinner
Thatrsquos why knowing our language is so important because itteaches us who we are itrsquos not just a set of words Itrsquos aboutour history itrsquos about our heritage itrsquos about our way of lifethat our ancestors have fought and died for
Karen WashinawatokDirector of Menominee Language and Culture commission
12 of 26
The typical discourse behind Esperanto
Among others Jordan [5] effectively resumes the idea that movedZamenhof in planning Esperanto an idea that is at the basis of theEsperanto movement
Zamenhofrsquos ideology treats languages as tools ofcommunication and communication as a tool for improvinghuman welfare These credos imply that a second-best languagethe world can agree to use is better than a ldquobestrdquo language onwhich the world cannot agree They imply also that the peoplesof the world have much in common so internationalcommunication will contribute to friendship and peace ratherthan animosity and war
13 of 26
An interlinguistic view ofminority languages
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
The Language Endangerment Framework
In the last ten years language planners and activists (both inside andoutside academia) were coordinated by UNESCO forming a panel ofexperts assessing a Language Endangerment Framework ie apractical methodology for what Spolsky [9] calls languagemanagement
Esperanto should find its way in every multilingual situation being afactor of equilibrium and fairness in communication
16 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (12)
LVE assignes a value from lsquo0rsquo (direst situation) to lsquo5rsquo (optimalsituation) to nine domains of the minority language
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes andpolicies including official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
17 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (22)
In which domains Esperanto could be more helpful
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes and policiesincluding official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
18 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (12)
Fishman [4] defines the lsquominimum programrsquo of reversing languageshift in preserving the intergenerational mother tongue transmission
Stage 8 Reconstruction and adult acquisitionStage 7 Interaction in the language are driven by oldergenerations typically grandparentsStage 6 The language is used only orally and within thecommunity eg families and neighbourhood by threegenerationsStage 5 The language is used also in written form with classesout of school lessons without any support outside thecommunity
In these dramatic stages pertaining endangered languages Esperantocan play little role
19 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (22)Stage 4b The language is compulsory in lower educationunder control of the minority groupStage 4a The language is compulsory in lower educationwith a wider recognition ie outside the minority groupStage 3 The region or local area of the language considers itnormal so that also members outside the community use it as aL2Stage 2 Public services by the government are provided in thelanguage as well as the media usageStage 1 The language is used also in contexts of higherprestige including higher education media and work within theregion and abroad
Language acquisition at school (stage 4) is a strategic area topromote the minority language the propaedeutic effect of Esperantocould be tested appropriately20 of 26
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
What is a minority language
European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
The definition
languages traditionally used within a given territory of a state bynationals of that state who form a group numerically smallerthan the rest of the statersquos population they are different fromthe official language(s) of that state and they include neitherdialects of the official language(s) of the state nor the languagesof migrants (ECRML Art 1 ndash Definitions)
Let us consider some consequences
3 of 26
Only a matter of number of (native) speakers
Wikipedia our repository of common-sense knowledge states that ldquoaminority language is a language spoken by a minority of thepopulation of a territorrdquo This is a half-truth
The problem of the (false) equivalence lsquominority languages =lesser-used languagesrsquo where is the border of lesser-usage
100000 native speakers
10000
1000
We need to re-engineer the concept of minority languages
4 of 26
Italy a multilingual nation-state (look only to colours)
A taxonomy of minority languages
Letrsquos take Italy as the reference territory for further analysis
Edwards [1] introduced a taxonomy of minority languages where
local-only minority languages are for example German FrenchSlovene (they are national language elsewhere)
unique minority languages are for example Piedmontese Venetian(settled only in Italy only in a minority status)
non-unique minority languages an example is Catalan (present inmore than one state but never at a national level)
6 of 26
A taxonomy of minority languages
Letrsquos take Italy as the reference territory for further analysis
Edwards [1] introduced a taxonomy of minority languages where
local-only minority languages are for example German FrenchSlovene (they are national language elsewhere)
unique minority languages are for example Piedmontese Venetian(settled only in Italy only in a minority status)
non-unique minority languages an example is Catalan (present inmore than one state but never at a national level)
6 of 26
A taxonomy of minority languages
Letrsquos take Italy as the reference territory for further analysis
Edwards [1] introduced a taxonomy of minority languages where
local-only minority languages are for example German FrenchSlovene (they are national language elsewhere)
unique minority languages are for example Piedmontese Venetian(settled only in Italy only in a minority status)
non-unique minority languages an example is Catalan (present inmore than one state but never at a national level)
6 of 26
The paradox of South Tyrol in Italy
From a state perspective German is a minority language from theprovincial perspective it is not ndash paraphrasing Edwards [1]
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Is Esperanto a minoritylanguage
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language
Two examples
11 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language Two examples
11 of 26
The typical discourse behind minority languages
Language activists talk about ethnical cultural and historicalauthenticity An example from Menominee an Algonquian languagespoken in norther Wisconsin and Michingan studied by BloomfieldSapir and Skinner
Thatrsquos why knowing our language is so important because itteaches us who we are itrsquos not just a set of words Itrsquos aboutour history itrsquos about our heritage itrsquos about our way of lifethat our ancestors have fought and died for
Karen WashinawatokDirector of Menominee Language and Culture commission
12 of 26
The typical discourse behind Esperanto
Among others Jordan [5] effectively resumes the idea that movedZamenhof in planning Esperanto an idea that is at the basis of theEsperanto movement
Zamenhofrsquos ideology treats languages as tools ofcommunication and communication as a tool for improvinghuman welfare These credos imply that a second-best languagethe world can agree to use is better than a ldquobestrdquo language onwhich the world cannot agree They imply also that the peoplesof the world have much in common so internationalcommunication will contribute to friendship and peace ratherthan animosity and war
13 of 26
An interlinguistic view ofminority languages
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
The Language Endangerment Framework
In the last ten years language planners and activists (both inside andoutside academia) were coordinated by UNESCO forming a panel ofexperts assessing a Language Endangerment Framework ie apractical methodology for what Spolsky [9] calls languagemanagement
Esperanto should find its way in every multilingual situation being afactor of equilibrium and fairness in communication
16 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (12)
LVE assignes a value from lsquo0rsquo (direst situation) to lsquo5rsquo (optimalsituation) to nine domains of the minority language
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes andpolicies including official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
17 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (22)
In which domains Esperanto could be more helpful
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes and policiesincluding official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
18 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (12)
Fishman [4] defines the lsquominimum programrsquo of reversing languageshift in preserving the intergenerational mother tongue transmission
Stage 8 Reconstruction and adult acquisitionStage 7 Interaction in the language are driven by oldergenerations typically grandparentsStage 6 The language is used only orally and within thecommunity eg families and neighbourhood by threegenerationsStage 5 The language is used also in written form with classesout of school lessons without any support outside thecommunity
In these dramatic stages pertaining endangered languages Esperantocan play little role
19 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (22)Stage 4b The language is compulsory in lower educationunder control of the minority groupStage 4a The language is compulsory in lower educationwith a wider recognition ie outside the minority groupStage 3 The region or local area of the language considers itnormal so that also members outside the community use it as aL2Stage 2 Public services by the government are provided in thelanguage as well as the media usageStage 1 The language is used also in contexts of higherprestige including higher education media and work within theregion and abroad
Language acquisition at school (stage 4) is a strategic area topromote the minority language the propaedeutic effect of Esperantocould be tested appropriately20 of 26
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
The definition
languages traditionally used within a given territory of a state bynationals of that state who form a group numerically smallerthan the rest of the statersquos population they are different fromthe official language(s) of that state and they include neitherdialects of the official language(s) of the state nor the languagesof migrants (ECRML Art 1 ndash Definitions)
Let us consider some consequences
3 of 26
Only a matter of number of (native) speakers
Wikipedia our repository of common-sense knowledge states that ldquoaminority language is a language spoken by a minority of thepopulation of a territorrdquo This is a half-truth
The problem of the (false) equivalence lsquominority languages =lesser-used languagesrsquo where is the border of lesser-usage
100000 native speakers
10000
1000
We need to re-engineer the concept of minority languages
4 of 26
Italy a multilingual nation-state (look only to colours)
A taxonomy of minority languages
Letrsquos take Italy as the reference territory for further analysis
Edwards [1] introduced a taxonomy of minority languages where
local-only minority languages are for example German FrenchSlovene (they are national language elsewhere)
unique minority languages are for example Piedmontese Venetian(settled only in Italy only in a minority status)
non-unique minority languages an example is Catalan (present inmore than one state but never at a national level)
6 of 26
A taxonomy of minority languages
Letrsquos take Italy as the reference territory for further analysis
Edwards [1] introduced a taxonomy of minority languages where
local-only minority languages are for example German FrenchSlovene (they are national language elsewhere)
unique minority languages are for example Piedmontese Venetian(settled only in Italy only in a minority status)
non-unique minority languages an example is Catalan (present inmore than one state but never at a national level)
6 of 26
A taxonomy of minority languages
Letrsquos take Italy as the reference territory for further analysis
Edwards [1] introduced a taxonomy of minority languages where
local-only minority languages are for example German FrenchSlovene (they are national language elsewhere)
unique minority languages are for example Piedmontese Venetian(settled only in Italy only in a minority status)
non-unique minority languages an example is Catalan (present inmore than one state but never at a national level)
6 of 26
The paradox of South Tyrol in Italy
From a state perspective German is a minority language from theprovincial perspective it is not ndash paraphrasing Edwards [1]
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Is Esperanto a minoritylanguage
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language
Two examples
11 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language Two examples
11 of 26
The typical discourse behind minority languages
Language activists talk about ethnical cultural and historicalauthenticity An example from Menominee an Algonquian languagespoken in norther Wisconsin and Michingan studied by BloomfieldSapir and Skinner
Thatrsquos why knowing our language is so important because itteaches us who we are itrsquos not just a set of words Itrsquos aboutour history itrsquos about our heritage itrsquos about our way of lifethat our ancestors have fought and died for
Karen WashinawatokDirector of Menominee Language and Culture commission
12 of 26
The typical discourse behind Esperanto
Among others Jordan [5] effectively resumes the idea that movedZamenhof in planning Esperanto an idea that is at the basis of theEsperanto movement
Zamenhofrsquos ideology treats languages as tools ofcommunication and communication as a tool for improvinghuman welfare These credos imply that a second-best languagethe world can agree to use is better than a ldquobestrdquo language onwhich the world cannot agree They imply also that the peoplesof the world have much in common so internationalcommunication will contribute to friendship and peace ratherthan animosity and war
13 of 26
An interlinguistic view ofminority languages
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
The Language Endangerment Framework
In the last ten years language planners and activists (both inside andoutside academia) were coordinated by UNESCO forming a panel ofexperts assessing a Language Endangerment Framework ie apractical methodology for what Spolsky [9] calls languagemanagement
Esperanto should find its way in every multilingual situation being afactor of equilibrium and fairness in communication
16 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (12)
LVE assignes a value from lsquo0rsquo (direst situation) to lsquo5rsquo (optimalsituation) to nine domains of the minority language
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes andpolicies including official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
17 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (22)
In which domains Esperanto could be more helpful
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes and policiesincluding official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
18 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (12)
Fishman [4] defines the lsquominimum programrsquo of reversing languageshift in preserving the intergenerational mother tongue transmission
Stage 8 Reconstruction and adult acquisitionStage 7 Interaction in the language are driven by oldergenerations typically grandparentsStage 6 The language is used only orally and within thecommunity eg families and neighbourhood by threegenerationsStage 5 The language is used also in written form with classesout of school lessons without any support outside thecommunity
In these dramatic stages pertaining endangered languages Esperantocan play little role
19 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (22)Stage 4b The language is compulsory in lower educationunder control of the minority groupStage 4a The language is compulsory in lower educationwith a wider recognition ie outside the minority groupStage 3 The region or local area of the language considers itnormal so that also members outside the community use it as aL2Stage 2 Public services by the government are provided in thelanguage as well as the media usageStage 1 The language is used also in contexts of higherprestige including higher education media and work within theregion and abroad
Language acquisition at school (stage 4) is a strategic area topromote the minority language the propaedeutic effect of Esperantocould be tested appropriately20 of 26
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
Only a matter of number of (native) speakers
Wikipedia our repository of common-sense knowledge states that ldquoaminority language is a language spoken by a minority of thepopulation of a territorrdquo This is a half-truth
The problem of the (false) equivalence lsquominority languages =lesser-used languagesrsquo where is the border of lesser-usage
100000 native speakers
10000
1000
We need to re-engineer the concept of minority languages
4 of 26
Italy a multilingual nation-state (look only to colours)
A taxonomy of minority languages
Letrsquos take Italy as the reference territory for further analysis
Edwards [1] introduced a taxonomy of minority languages where
local-only minority languages are for example German FrenchSlovene (they are national language elsewhere)
unique minority languages are for example Piedmontese Venetian(settled only in Italy only in a minority status)
non-unique minority languages an example is Catalan (present inmore than one state but never at a national level)
6 of 26
A taxonomy of minority languages
Letrsquos take Italy as the reference territory for further analysis
Edwards [1] introduced a taxonomy of minority languages where
local-only minority languages are for example German FrenchSlovene (they are national language elsewhere)
unique minority languages are for example Piedmontese Venetian(settled only in Italy only in a minority status)
non-unique minority languages an example is Catalan (present inmore than one state but never at a national level)
6 of 26
A taxonomy of minority languages
Letrsquos take Italy as the reference territory for further analysis
Edwards [1] introduced a taxonomy of minority languages where
local-only minority languages are for example German FrenchSlovene (they are national language elsewhere)
unique minority languages are for example Piedmontese Venetian(settled only in Italy only in a minority status)
non-unique minority languages an example is Catalan (present inmore than one state but never at a national level)
6 of 26
The paradox of South Tyrol in Italy
From a state perspective German is a minority language from theprovincial perspective it is not ndash paraphrasing Edwards [1]
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Is Esperanto a minoritylanguage
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language
Two examples
11 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language Two examples
11 of 26
The typical discourse behind minority languages
Language activists talk about ethnical cultural and historicalauthenticity An example from Menominee an Algonquian languagespoken in norther Wisconsin and Michingan studied by BloomfieldSapir and Skinner
Thatrsquos why knowing our language is so important because itteaches us who we are itrsquos not just a set of words Itrsquos aboutour history itrsquos about our heritage itrsquos about our way of lifethat our ancestors have fought and died for
Karen WashinawatokDirector of Menominee Language and Culture commission
12 of 26
The typical discourse behind Esperanto
Among others Jordan [5] effectively resumes the idea that movedZamenhof in planning Esperanto an idea that is at the basis of theEsperanto movement
Zamenhofrsquos ideology treats languages as tools ofcommunication and communication as a tool for improvinghuman welfare These credos imply that a second-best languagethe world can agree to use is better than a ldquobestrdquo language onwhich the world cannot agree They imply also that the peoplesof the world have much in common so internationalcommunication will contribute to friendship and peace ratherthan animosity and war
13 of 26
An interlinguistic view ofminority languages
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
The Language Endangerment Framework
In the last ten years language planners and activists (both inside andoutside academia) were coordinated by UNESCO forming a panel ofexperts assessing a Language Endangerment Framework ie apractical methodology for what Spolsky [9] calls languagemanagement
Esperanto should find its way in every multilingual situation being afactor of equilibrium and fairness in communication
16 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (12)
LVE assignes a value from lsquo0rsquo (direst situation) to lsquo5rsquo (optimalsituation) to nine domains of the minority language
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes andpolicies including official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
17 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (22)
In which domains Esperanto could be more helpful
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes and policiesincluding official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
18 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (12)
Fishman [4] defines the lsquominimum programrsquo of reversing languageshift in preserving the intergenerational mother tongue transmission
Stage 8 Reconstruction and adult acquisitionStage 7 Interaction in the language are driven by oldergenerations typically grandparentsStage 6 The language is used only orally and within thecommunity eg families and neighbourhood by threegenerationsStage 5 The language is used also in written form with classesout of school lessons without any support outside thecommunity
In these dramatic stages pertaining endangered languages Esperantocan play little role
19 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (22)Stage 4b The language is compulsory in lower educationunder control of the minority groupStage 4a The language is compulsory in lower educationwith a wider recognition ie outside the minority groupStage 3 The region or local area of the language considers itnormal so that also members outside the community use it as aL2Stage 2 Public services by the government are provided in thelanguage as well as the media usageStage 1 The language is used also in contexts of higherprestige including higher education media and work within theregion and abroad
Language acquisition at school (stage 4) is a strategic area topromote the minority language the propaedeutic effect of Esperantocould be tested appropriately20 of 26
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
Italy a multilingual nation-state (look only to colours)
A taxonomy of minority languages
Letrsquos take Italy as the reference territory for further analysis
Edwards [1] introduced a taxonomy of minority languages where
local-only minority languages are for example German FrenchSlovene (they are national language elsewhere)
unique minority languages are for example Piedmontese Venetian(settled only in Italy only in a minority status)
non-unique minority languages an example is Catalan (present inmore than one state but never at a national level)
6 of 26
A taxonomy of minority languages
Letrsquos take Italy as the reference territory for further analysis
Edwards [1] introduced a taxonomy of minority languages where
local-only minority languages are for example German FrenchSlovene (they are national language elsewhere)
unique minority languages are for example Piedmontese Venetian(settled only in Italy only in a minority status)
non-unique minority languages an example is Catalan (present inmore than one state but never at a national level)
6 of 26
A taxonomy of minority languages
Letrsquos take Italy as the reference territory for further analysis
Edwards [1] introduced a taxonomy of minority languages where
local-only minority languages are for example German FrenchSlovene (they are national language elsewhere)
unique minority languages are for example Piedmontese Venetian(settled only in Italy only in a minority status)
non-unique minority languages an example is Catalan (present inmore than one state but never at a national level)
6 of 26
The paradox of South Tyrol in Italy
From a state perspective German is a minority language from theprovincial perspective it is not ndash paraphrasing Edwards [1]
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Is Esperanto a minoritylanguage
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language
Two examples
11 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language Two examples
11 of 26
The typical discourse behind minority languages
Language activists talk about ethnical cultural and historicalauthenticity An example from Menominee an Algonquian languagespoken in norther Wisconsin and Michingan studied by BloomfieldSapir and Skinner
Thatrsquos why knowing our language is so important because itteaches us who we are itrsquos not just a set of words Itrsquos aboutour history itrsquos about our heritage itrsquos about our way of lifethat our ancestors have fought and died for
Karen WashinawatokDirector of Menominee Language and Culture commission
12 of 26
The typical discourse behind Esperanto
Among others Jordan [5] effectively resumes the idea that movedZamenhof in planning Esperanto an idea that is at the basis of theEsperanto movement
Zamenhofrsquos ideology treats languages as tools ofcommunication and communication as a tool for improvinghuman welfare These credos imply that a second-best languagethe world can agree to use is better than a ldquobestrdquo language onwhich the world cannot agree They imply also that the peoplesof the world have much in common so internationalcommunication will contribute to friendship and peace ratherthan animosity and war
13 of 26
An interlinguistic view ofminority languages
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
The Language Endangerment Framework
In the last ten years language planners and activists (both inside andoutside academia) were coordinated by UNESCO forming a panel ofexperts assessing a Language Endangerment Framework ie apractical methodology for what Spolsky [9] calls languagemanagement
Esperanto should find its way in every multilingual situation being afactor of equilibrium and fairness in communication
16 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (12)
LVE assignes a value from lsquo0rsquo (direst situation) to lsquo5rsquo (optimalsituation) to nine domains of the minority language
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes andpolicies including official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
17 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (22)
In which domains Esperanto could be more helpful
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes and policiesincluding official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
18 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (12)
Fishman [4] defines the lsquominimum programrsquo of reversing languageshift in preserving the intergenerational mother tongue transmission
Stage 8 Reconstruction and adult acquisitionStage 7 Interaction in the language are driven by oldergenerations typically grandparentsStage 6 The language is used only orally and within thecommunity eg families and neighbourhood by threegenerationsStage 5 The language is used also in written form with classesout of school lessons without any support outside thecommunity
In these dramatic stages pertaining endangered languages Esperantocan play little role
19 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (22)Stage 4b The language is compulsory in lower educationunder control of the minority groupStage 4a The language is compulsory in lower educationwith a wider recognition ie outside the minority groupStage 3 The region or local area of the language considers itnormal so that also members outside the community use it as aL2Stage 2 Public services by the government are provided in thelanguage as well as the media usageStage 1 The language is used also in contexts of higherprestige including higher education media and work within theregion and abroad
Language acquisition at school (stage 4) is a strategic area topromote the minority language the propaedeutic effect of Esperantocould be tested appropriately20 of 26
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
A taxonomy of minority languages
Letrsquos take Italy as the reference territory for further analysis
Edwards [1] introduced a taxonomy of minority languages where
local-only minority languages are for example German FrenchSlovene (they are national language elsewhere)
unique minority languages are for example Piedmontese Venetian(settled only in Italy only in a minority status)
non-unique minority languages an example is Catalan (present inmore than one state but never at a national level)
6 of 26
A taxonomy of minority languages
Letrsquos take Italy as the reference territory for further analysis
Edwards [1] introduced a taxonomy of minority languages where
local-only minority languages are for example German FrenchSlovene (they are national language elsewhere)
unique minority languages are for example Piedmontese Venetian(settled only in Italy only in a minority status)
non-unique minority languages an example is Catalan (present inmore than one state but never at a national level)
6 of 26
A taxonomy of minority languages
Letrsquos take Italy as the reference territory for further analysis
Edwards [1] introduced a taxonomy of minority languages where
local-only minority languages are for example German FrenchSlovene (they are national language elsewhere)
unique minority languages are for example Piedmontese Venetian(settled only in Italy only in a minority status)
non-unique minority languages an example is Catalan (present inmore than one state but never at a national level)
6 of 26
The paradox of South Tyrol in Italy
From a state perspective German is a minority language from theprovincial perspective it is not ndash paraphrasing Edwards [1]
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Is Esperanto a minoritylanguage
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language
Two examples
11 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language Two examples
11 of 26
The typical discourse behind minority languages
Language activists talk about ethnical cultural and historicalauthenticity An example from Menominee an Algonquian languagespoken in norther Wisconsin and Michingan studied by BloomfieldSapir and Skinner
Thatrsquos why knowing our language is so important because itteaches us who we are itrsquos not just a set of words Itrsquos aboutour history itrsquos about our heritage itrsquos about our way of lifethat our ancestors have fought and died for
Karen WashinawatokDirector of Menominee Language and Culture commission
12 of 26
The typical discourse behind Esperanto
Among others Jordan [5] effectively resumes the idea that movedZamenhof in planning Esperanto an idea that is at the basis of theEsperanto movement
Zamenhofrsquos ideology treats languages as tools ofcommunication and communication as a tool for improvinghuman welfare These credos imply that a second-best languagethe world can agree to use is better than a ldquobestrdquo language onwhich the world cannot agree They imply also that the peoplesof the world have much in common so internationalcommunication will contribute to friendship and peace ratherthan animosity and war
13 of 26
An interlinguistic view ofminority languages
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
The Language Endangerment Framework
In the last ten years language planners and activists (both inside andoutside academia) were coordinated by UNESCO forming a panel ofexperts assessing a Language Endangerment Framework ie apractical methodology for what Spolsky [9] calls languagemanagement
Esperanto should find its way in every multilingual situation being afactor of equilibrium and fairness in communication
16 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (12)
LVE assignes a value from lsquo0rsquo (direst situation) to lsquo5rsquo (optimalsituation) to nine domains of the minority language
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes andpolicies including official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
17 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (22)
In which domains Esperanto could be more helpful
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes and policiesincluding official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
18 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (12)
Fishman [4] defines the lsquominimum programrsquo of reversing languageshift in preserving the intergenerational mother tongue transmission
Stage 8 Reconstruction and adult acquisitionStage 7 Interaction in the language are driven by oldergenerations typically grandparentsStage 6 The language is used only orally and within thecommunity eg families and neighbourhood by threegenerationsStage 5 The language is used also in written form with classesout of school lessons without any support outside thecommunity
In these dramatic stages pertaining endangered languages Esperantocan play little role
19 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (22)Stage 4b The language is compulsory in lower educationunder control of the minority groupStage 4a The language is compulsory in lower educationwith a wider recognition ie outside the minority groupStage 3 The region or local area of the language considers itnormal so that also members outside the community use it as aL2Stage 2 Public services by the government are provided in thelanguage as well as the media usageStage 1 The language is used also in contexts of higherprestige including higher education media and work within theregion and abroad
Language acquisition at school (stage 4) is a strategic area topromote the minority language the propaedeutic effect of Esperantocould be tested appropriately20 of 26
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
A taxonomy of minority languages
Letrsquos take Italy as the reference territory for further analysis
Edwards [1] introduced a taxonomy of minority languages where
local-only minority languages are for example German FrenchSlovene (they are national language elsewhere)
unique minority languages are for example Piedmontese Venetian(settled only in Italy only in a minority status)
non-unique minority languages an example is Catalan (present inmore than one state but never at a national level)
6 of 26
A taxonomy of minority languages
Letrsquos take Italy as the reference territory for further analysis
Edwards [1] introduced a taxonomy of minority languages where
local-only minority languages are for example German FrenchSlovene (they are national language elsewhere)
unique minority languages are for example Piedmontese Venetian(settled only in Italy only in a minority status)
non-unique minority languages an example is Catalan (present inmore than one state but never at a national level)
6 of 26
The paradox of South Tyrol in Italy
From a state perspective German is a minority language from theprovincial perspective it is not ndash paraphrasing Edwards [1]
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Is Esperanto a minoritylanguage
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language
Two examples
11 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language Two examples
11 of 26
The typical discourse behind minority languages
Language activists talk about ethnical cultural and historicalauthenticity An example from Menominee an Algonquian languagespoken in norther Wisconsin and Michingan studied by BloomfieldSapir and Skinner
Thatrsquos why knowing our language is so important because itteaches us who we are itrsquos not just a set of words Itrsquos aboutour history itrsquos about our heritage itrsquos about our way of lifethat our ancestors have fought and died for
Karen WashinawatokDirector of Menominee Language and Culture commission
12 of 26
The typical discourse behind Esperanto
Among others Jordan [5] effectively resumes the idea that movedZamenhof in planning Esperanto an idea that is at the basis of theEsperanto movement
Zamenhofrsquos ideology treats languages as tools ofcommunication and communication as a tool for improvinghuman welfare These credos imply that a second-best languagethe world can agree to use is better than a ldquobestrdquo language onwhich the world cannot agree They imply also that the peoplesof the world have much in common so internationalcommunication will contribute to friendship and peace ratherthan animosity and war
13 of 26
An interlinguistic view ofminority languages
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
The Language Endangerment Framework
In the last ten years language planners and activists (both inside andoutside academia) were coordinated by UNESCO forming a panel ofexperts assessing a Language Endangerment Framework ie apractical methodology for what Spolsky [9] calls languagemanagement
Esperanto should find its way in every multilingual situation being afactor of equilibrium and fairness in communication
16 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (12)
LVE assignes a value from lsquo0rsquo (direst situation) to lsquo5rsquo (optimalsituation) to nine domains of the minority language
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes andpolicies including official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
17 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (22)
In which domains Esperanto could be more helpful
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes and policiesincluding official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
18 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (12)
Fishman [4] defines the lsquominimum programrsquo of reversing languageshift in preserving the intergenerational mother tongue transmission
Stage 8 Reconstruction and adult acquisitionStage 7 Interaction in the language are driven by oldergenerations typically grandparentsStage 6 The language is used only orally and within thecommunity eg families and neighbourhood by threegenerationsStage 5 The language is used also in written form with classesout of school lessons without any support outside thecommunity
In these dramatic stages pertaining endangered languages Esperantocan play little role
19 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (22)Stage 4b The language is compulsory in lower educationunder control of the minority groupStage 4a The language is compulsory in lower educationwith a wider recognition ie outside the minority groupStage 3 The region or local area of the language considers itnormal so that also members outside the community use it as aL2Stage 2 Public services by the government are provided in thelanguage as well as the media usageStage 1 The language is used also in contexts of higherprestige including higher education media and work within theregion and abroad
Language acquisition at school (stage 4) is a strategic area topromote the minority language the propaedeutic effect of Esperantocould be tested appropriately20 of 26
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
A taxonomy of minority languages
Letrsquos take Italy as the reference territory for further analysis
Edwards [1] introduced a taxonomy of minority languages where
local-only minority languages are for example German FrenchSlovene (they are national language elsewhere)
unique minority languages are for example Piedmontese Venetian(settled only in Italy only in a minority status)
non-unique minority languages an example is Catalan (present inmore than one state but never at a national level)
6 of 26
The paradox of South Tyrol in Italy
From a state perspective German is a minority language from theprovincial perspective it is not ndash paraphrasing Edwards [1]
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Is Esperanto a minoritylanguage
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language
Two examples
11 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language Two examples
11 of 26
The typical discourse behind minority languages
Language activists talk about ethnical cultural and historicalauthenticity An example from Menominee an Algonquian languagespoken in norther Wisconsin and Michingan studied by BloomfieldSapir and Skinner
Thatrsquos why knowing our language is so important because itteaches us who we are itrsquos not just a set of words Itrsquos aboutour history itrsquos about our heritage itrsquos about our way of lifethat our ancestors have fought and died for
Karen WashinawatokDirector of Menominee Language and Culture commission
12 of 26
The typical discourse behind Esperanto
Among others Jordan [5] effectively resumes the idea that movedZamenhof in planning Esperanto an idea that is at the basis of theEsperanto movement
Zamenhofrsquos ideology treats languages as tools ofcommunication and communication as a tool for improvinghuman welfare These credos imply that a second-best languagethe world can agree to use is better than a ldquobestrdquo language onwhich the world cannot agree They imply also that the peoplesof the world have much in common so internationalcommunication will contribute to friendship and peace ratherthan animosity and war
13 of 26
An interlinguistic view ofminority languages
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
The Language Endangerment Framework
In the last ten years language planners and activists (both inside andoutside academia) were coordinated by UNESCO forming a panel ofexperts assessing a Language Endangerment Framework ie apractical methodology for what Spolsky [9] calls languagemanagement
Esperanto should find its way in every multilingual situation being afactor of equilibrium and fairness in communication
16 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (12)
LVE assignes a value from lsquo0rsquo (direst situation) to lsquo5rsquo (optimalsituation) to nine domains of the minority language
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes andpolicies including official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
17 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (22)
In which domains Esperanto could be more helpful
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes and policiesincluding official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
18 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (12)
Fishman [4] defines the lsquominimum programrsquo of reversing languageshift in preserving the intergenerational mother tongue transmission
Stage 8 Reconstruction and adult acquisitionStage 7 Interaction in the language are driven by oldergenerations typically grandparentsStage 6 The language is used only orally and within thecommunity eg families and neighbourhood by threegenerationsStage 5 The language is used also in written form with classesout of school lessons without any support outside thecommunity
In these dramatic stages pertaining endangered languages Esperantocan play little role
19 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (22)Stage 4b The language is compulsory in lower educationunder control of the minority groupStage 4a The language is compulsory in lower educationwith a wider recognition ie outside the minority groupStage 3 The region or local area of the language considers itnormal so that also members outside the community use it as aL2Stage 2 Public services by the government are provided in thelanguage as well as the media usageStage 1 The language is used also in contexts of higherprestige including higher education media and work within theregion and abroad
Language acquisition at school (stage 4) is a strategic area topromote the minority language the propaedeutic effect of Esperantocould be tested appropriately20 of 26
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
The paradox of South Tyrol in Italy
From a state perspective German is a minority language from theprovincial perspective it is not ndash paraphrasing Edwards [1]
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Is Esperanto a minoritylanguage
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language
Two examples
11 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language Two examples
11 of 26
The typical discourse behind minority languages
Language activists talk about ethnical cultural and historicalauthenticity An example from Menominee an Algonquian languagespoken in norther Wisconsin and Michingan studied by BloomfieldSapir and Skinner
Thatrsquos why knowing our language is so important because itteaches us who we are itrsquos not just a set of words Itrsquos aboutour history itrsquos about our heritage itrsquos about our way of lifethat our ancestors have fought and died for
Karen WashinawatokDirector of Menominee Language and Culture commission
12 of 26
The typical discourse behind Esperanto
Among others Jordan [5] effectively resumes the idea that movedZamenhof in planning Esperanto an idea that is at the basis of theEsperanto movement
Zamenhofrsquos ideology treats languages as tools ofcommunication and communication as a tool for improvinghuman welfare These credos imply that a second-best languagethe world can agree to use is better than a ldquobestrdquo language onwhich the world cannot agree They imply also that the peoplesof the world have much in common so internationalcommunication will contribute to friendship and peace ratherthan animosity and war
13 of 26
An interlinguistic view ofminority languages
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
The Language Endangerment Framework
In the last ten years language planners and activists (both inside andoutside academia) were coordinated by UNESCO forming a panel ofexperts assessing a Language Endangerment Framework ie apractical methodology for what Spolsky [9] calls languagemanagement
Esperanto should find its way in every multilingual situation being afactor of equilibrium and fairness in communication
16 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (12)
LVE assignes a value from lsquo0rsquo (direst situation) to lsquo5rsquo (optimalsituation) to nine domains of the minority language
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes andpolicies including official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
17 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (22)
In which domains Esperanto could be more helpful
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes and policiesincluding official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
18 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (12)
Fishman [4] defines the lsquominimum programrsquo of reversing languageshift in preserving the intergenerational mother tongue transmission
Stage 8 Reconstruction and adult acquisitionStage 7 Interaction in the language are driven by oldergenerations typically grandparentsStage 6 The language is used only orally and within thecommunity eg families and neighbourhood by threegenerationsStage 5 The language is used also in written form with classesout of school lessons without any support outside thecommunity
In these dramatic stages pertaining endangered languages Esperantocan play little role
19 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (22)Stage 4b The language is compulsory in lower educationunder control of the minority groupStage 4a The language is compulsory in lower educationwith a wider recognition ie outside the minority groupStage 3 The region or local area of the language considers itnormal so that also members outside the community use it as aL2Stage 2 Public services by the government are provided in thelanguage as well as the media usageStage 1 The language is used also in contexts of higherprestige including higher education media and work within theregion and abroad
Language acquisition at school (stage 4) is a strategic area topromote the minority language the propaedeutic effect of Esperantocould be tested appropriately20 of 26
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Is Esperanto a minoritylanguage
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language
Two examples
11 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language Two examples
11 of 26
The typical discourse behind minority languages
Language activists talk about ethnical cultural and historicalauthenticity An example from Menominee an Algonquian languagespoken in norther Wisconsin and Michingan studied by BloomfieldSapir and Skinner
Thatrsquos why knowing our language is so important because itteaches us who we are itrsquos not just a set of words Itrsquos aboutour history itrsquos about our heritage itrsquos about our way of lifethat our ancestors have fought and died for
Karen WashinawatokDirector of Menominee Language and Culture commission
12 of 26
The typical discourse behind Esperanto
Among others Jordan [5] effectively resumes the idea that movedZamenhof in planning Esperanto an idea that is at the basis of theEsperanto movement
Zamenhofrsquos ideology treats languages as tools ofcommunication and communication as a tool for improvinghuman welfare These credos imply that a second-best languagethe world can agree to use is better than a ldquobestrdquo language onwhich the world cannot agree They imply also that the peoplesof the world have much in common so internationalcommunication will contribute to friendship and peace ratherthan animosity and war
13 of 26
An interlinguistic view ofminority languages
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
The Language Endangerment Framework
In the last ten years language planners and activists (both inside andoutside academia) were coordinated by UNESCO forming a panel ofexperts assessing a Language Endangerment Framework ie apractical methodology for what Spolsky [9] calls languagemanagement
Esperanto should find its way in every multilingual situation being afactor of equilibrium and fairness in communication
16 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (12)
LVE assignes a value from lsquo0rsquo (direst situation) to lsquo5rsquo (optimalsituation) to nine domains of the minority language
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes andpolicies including official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
17 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (22)
In which domains Esperanto could be more helpful
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes and policiesincluding official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
18 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (12)
Fishman [4] defines the lsquominimum programrsquo of reversing languageshift in preserving the intergenerational mother tongue transmission
Stage 8 Reconstruction and adult acquisitionStage 7 Interaction in the language are driven by oldergenerations typically grandparentsStage 6 The language is used only orally and within thecommunity eg families and neighbourhood by threegenerationsStage 5 The language is used also in written form with classesout of school lessons without any support outside thecommunity
In these dramatic stages pertaining endangered languages Esperantocan play little role
19 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (22)Stage 4b The language is compulsory in lower educationunder control of the minority groupStage 4a The language is compulsory in lower educationwith a wider recognition ie outside the minority groupStage 3 The region or local area of the language considers itnormal so that also members outside the community use it as aL2Stage 2 Public services by the government are provided in thelanguage as well as the media usageStage 1 The language is used also in contexts of higherprestige including higher education media and work within theregion and abroad
Language acquisition at school (stage 4) is a strategic area topromote the minority language the propaedeutic effect of Esperantocould be tested appropriately20 of 26
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Is Esperanto a minoritylanguage
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language
Two examples
11 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language Two examples
11 of 26
The typical discourse behind minority languages
Language activists talk about ethnical cultural and historicalauthenticity An example from Menominee an Algonquian languagespoken in norther Wisconsin and Michingan studied by BloomfieldSapir and Skinner
Thatrsquos why knowing our language is so important because itteaches us who we are itrsquos not just a set of words Itrsquos aboutour history itrsquos about our heritage itrsquos about our way of lifethat our ancestors have fought and died for
Karen WashinawatokDirector of Menominee Language and Culture commission
12 of 26
The typical discourse behind Esperanto
Among others Jordan [5] effectively resumes the idea that movedZamenhof in planning Esperanto an idea that is at the basis of theEsperanto movement
Zamenhofrsquos ideology treats languages as tools ofcommunication and communication as a tool for improvinghuman welfare These credos imply that a second-best languagethe world can agree to use is better than a ldquobestrdquo language onwhich the world cannot agree They imply also that the peoplesof the world have much in common so internationalcommunication will contribute to friendship and peace ratherthan animosity and war
13 of 26
An interlinguistic view ofminority languages
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
The Language Endangerment Framework
In the last ten years language planners and activists (both inside andoutside academia) were coordinated by UNESCO forming a panel ofexperts assessing a Language Endangerment Framework ie apractical methodology for what Spolsky [9] calls languagemanagement
Esperanto should find its way in every multilingual situation being afactor of equilibrium and fairness in communication
16 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (12)
LVE assignes a value from lsquo0rsquo (direst situation) to lsquo5rsquo (optimalsituation) to nine domains of the minority language
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes andpolicies including official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
17 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (22)
In which domains Esperanto could be more helpful
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes and policiesincluding official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
18 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (12)
Fishman [4] defines the lsquominimum programrsquo of reversing languageshift in preserving the intergenerational mother tongue transmission
Stage 8 Reconstruction and adult acquisitionStage 7 Interaction in the language are driven by oldergenerations typically grandparentsStage 6 The language is used only orally and within thecommunity eg families and neighbourhood by threegenerationsStage 5 The language is used also in written form with classesout of school lessons without any support outside thecommunity
In these dramatic stages pertaining endangered languages Esperantocan play little role
19 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (22)Stage 4b The language is compulsory in lower educationunder control of the minority groupStage 4a The language is compulsory in lower educationwith a wider recognition ie outside the minority groupStage 3 The region or local area of the language considers itnormal so that also members outside the community use it as aL2Stage 2 Public services by the government are provided in thelanguage as well as the media usageStage 1 The language is used also in contexts of higherprestige including higher education media and work within theregion and abroad
Language acquisition at school (stage 4) is a strategic area topromote the minority language the propaedeutic effect of Esperantocould be tested appropriately20 of 26
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Is Esperanto a minoritylanguage
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language
Two examples
11 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language Two examples
11 of 26
The typical discourse behind minority languages
Language activists talk about ethnical cultural and historicalauthenticity An example from Menominee an Algonquian languagespoken in norther Wisconsin and Michingan studied by BloomfieldSapir and Skinner
Thatrsquos why knowing our language is so important because itteaches us who we are itrsquos not just a set of words Itrsquos aboutour history itrsquos about our heritage itrsquos about our way of lifethat our ancestors have fought and died for
Karen WashinawatokDirector of Menominee Language and Culture commission
12 of 26
The typical discourse behind Esperanto
Among others Jordan [5] effectively resumes the idea that movedZamenhof in planning Esperanto an idea that is at the basis of theEsperanto movement
Zamenhofrsquos ideology treats languages as tools ofcommunication and communication as a tool for improvinghuman welfare These credos imply that a second-best languagethe world can agree to use is better than a ldquobestrdquo language onwhich the world cannot agree They imply also that the peoplesof the world have much in common so internationalcommunication will contribute to friendship and peace ratherthan animosity and war
13 of 26
An interlinguistic view ofminority languages
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
The Language Endangerment Framework
In the last ten years language planners and activists (both inside andoutside academia) were coordinated by UNESCO forming a panel ofexperts assessing a Language Endangerment Framework ie apractical methodology for what Spolsky [9] calls languagemanagement
Esperanto should find its way in every multilingual situation being afactor of equilibrium and fairness in communication
16 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (12)
LVE assignes a value from lsquo0rsquo (direst situation) to lsquo5rsquo (optimalsituation) to nine domains of the minority language
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes andpolicies including official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
17 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (22)
In which domains Esperanto could be more helpful
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes and policiesincluding official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
18 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (12)
Fishman [4] defines the lsquominimum programrsquo of reversing languageshift in preserving the intergenerational mother tongue transmission
Stage 8 Reconstruction and adult acquisitionStage 7 Interaction in the language are driven by oldergenerations typically grandparentsStage 6 The language is used only orally and within thecommunity eg families and neighbourhood by threegenerationsStage 5 The language is used also in written form with classesout of school lessons without any support outside thecommunity
In these dramatic stages pertaining endangered languages Esperantocan play little role
19 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (22)Stage 4b The language is compulsory in lower educationunder control of the minority groupStage 4a The language is compulsory in lower educationwith a wider recognition ie outside the minority groupStage 3 The region or local area of the language considers itnormal so that also members outside the community use it as aL2Stage 2 Public services by the government are provided in thelanguage as well as the media usageStage 1 The language is used also in contexts of higherprestige including higher education media and work within theregion and abroad
Language acquisition at school (stage 4) is a strategic area topromote the minority language the propaedeutic effect of Esperantocould be tested appropriately20 of 26
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
Framing minority languages as a relational concept
In the prototypical situation a minority language is always defined incontrast to a majority language settled in the same Sprachraum(proper territory of the language)
there is a bilingual community where the minority languagebelongs to
for historical and political reasons a majority language supersededthe minority one
the minority language is reserved for the informal and everydayfunctions (called lsquolow varietyrsquo or L)
the majority language often perceived as an imposed secondlanguage (L2) is reserved for the formal functions holding prestige(lsquohigh varietyrsquo or H)
8 of 26
Is Esperanto a minoritylanguage
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language
Two examples
11 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language Two examples
11 of 26
The typical discourse behind minority languages
Language activists talk about ethnical cultural and historicalauthenticity An example from Menominee an Algonquian languagespoken in norther Wisconsin and Michingan studied by BloomfieldSapir and Skinner
Thatrsquos why knowing our language is so important because itteaches us who we are itrsquos not just a set of words Itrsquos aboutour history itrsquos about our heritage itrsquos about our way of lifethat our ancestors have fought and died for
Karen WashinawatokDirector of Menominee Language and Culture commission
12 of 26
The typical discourse behind Esperanto
Among others Jordan [5] effectively resumes the idea that movedZamenhof in planning Esperanto an idea that is at the basis of theEsperanto movement
Zamenhofrsquos ideology treats languages as tools ofcommunication and communication as a tool for improvinghuman welfare These credos imply that a second-best languagethe world can agree to use is better than a ldquobestrdquo language onwhich the world cannot agree They imply also that the peoplesof the world have much in common so internationalcommunication will contribute to friendship and peace ratherthan animosity and war
13 of 26
An interlinguistic view ofminority languages
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
The Language Endangerment Framework
In the last ten years language planners and activists (both inside andoutside academia) were coordinated by UNESCO forming a panel ofexperts assessing a Language Endangerment Framework ie apractical methodology for what Spolsky [9] calls languagemanagement
Esperanto should find its way in every multilingual situation being afactor of equilibrium and fairness in communication
16 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (12)
LVE assignes a value from lsquo0rsquo (direst situation) to lsquo5rsquo (optimalsituation) to nine domains of the minority language
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes andpolicies including official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
17 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (22)
In which domains Esperanto could be more helpful
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes and policiesincluding official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
18 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (12)
Fishman [4] defines the lsquominimum programrsquo of reversing languageshift in preserving the intergenerational mother tongue transmission
Stage 8 Reconstruction and adult acquisitionStage 7 Interaction in the language are driven by oldergenerations typically grandparentsStage 6 The language is used only orally and within thecommunity eg families and neighbourhood by threegenerationsStage 5 The language is used also in written form with classesout of school lessons without any support outside thecommunity
In these dramatic stages pertaining endangered languages Esperantocan play little role
19 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (22)Stage 4b The language is compulsory in lower educationunder control of the minority groupStage 4a The language is compulsory in lower educationwith a wider recognition ie outside the minority groupStage 3 The region or local area of the language considers itnormal so that also members outside the community use it as aL2Stage 2 Public services by the government are provided in thelanguage as well as the media usageStage 1 The language is used also in contexts of higherprestige including higher education media and work within theregion and abroad
Language acquisition at school (stage 4) is a strategic area topromote the minority language the propaedeutic effect of Esperantocould be tested appropriately20 of 26
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
Is Esperanto a minoritylanguage
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language
Two examples
11 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language Two examples
11 of 26
The typical discourse behind minority languages
Language activists talk about ethnical cultural and historicalauthenticity An example from Menominee an Algonquian languagespoken in norther Wisconsin and Michingan studied by BloomfieldSapir and Skinner
Thatrsquos why knowing our language is so important because itteaches us who we are itrsquos not just a set of words Itrsquos aboutour history itrsquos about our heritage itrsquos about our way of lifethat our ancestors have fought and died for
Karen WashinawatokDirector of Menominee Language and Culture commission
12 of 26
The typical discourse behind Esperanto
Among others Jordan [5] effectively resumes the idea that movedZamenhof in planning Esperanto an idea that is at the basis of theEsperanto movement
Zamenhofrsquos ideology treats languages as tools ofcommunication and communication as a tool for improvinghuman welfare These credos imply that a second-best languagethe world can agree to use is better than a ldquobestrdquo language onwhich the world cannot agree They imply also that the peoplesof the world have much in common so internationalcommunication will contribute to friendship and peace ratherthan animosity and war
13 of 26
An interlinguistic view ofminority languages
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
The Language Endangerment Framework
In the last ten years language planners and activists (both inside andoutside academia) were coordinated by UNESCO forming a panel ofexperts assessing a Language Endangerment Framework ie apractical methodology for what Spolsky [9] calls languagemanagement
Esperanto should find its way in every multilingual situation being afactor of equilibrium and fairness in communication
16 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (12)
LVE assignes a value from lsquo0rsquo (direst situation) to lsquo5rsquo (optimalsituation) to nine domains of the minority language
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes andpolicies including official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
17 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (22)
In which domains Esperanto could be more helpful
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes and policiesincluding official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
18 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (12)
Fishman [4] defines the lsquominimum programrsquo of reversing languageshift in preserving the intergenerational mother tongue transmission
Stage 8 Reconstruction and adult acquisitionStage 7 Interaction in the language are driven by oldergenerations typically grandparentsStage 6 The language is used only orally and within thecommunity eg families and neighbourhood by threegenerationsStage 5 The language is used also in written form with classesout of school lessons without any support outside thecommunity
In these dramatic stages pertaining endangered languages Esperantocan play little role
19 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (22)Stage 4b The language is compulsory in lower educationunder control of the minority groupStage 4a The language is compulsory in lower educationwith a wider recognition ie outside the minority groupStage 3 The region or local area of the language considers itnormal so that also members outside the community use it as aL2Stage 2 Public services by the government are provided in thelanguage as well as the media usageStage 1 The language is used also in contexts of higherprestige including higher education media and work within theregion and abroad
Language acquisition at school (stage 4) is a strategic area topromote the minority language the propaedeutic effect of Esperantocould be tested appropriately20 of 26
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language
Two examples
11 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language Two examples
11 of 26
The typical discourse behind minority languages
Language activists talk about ethnical cultural and historicalauthenticity An example from Menominee an Algonquian languagespoken in norther Wisconsin and Michingan studied by BloomfieldSapir and Skinner
Thatrsquos why knowing our language is so important because itteaches us who we are itrsquos not just a set of words Itrsquos aboutour history itrsquos about our heritage itrsquos about our way of lifethat our ancestors have fought and died for
Karen WashinawatokDirector of Menominee Language and Culture commission
12 of 26
The typical discourse behind Esperanto
Among others Jordan [5] effectively resumes the idea that movedZamenhof in planning Esperanto an idea that is at the basis of theEsperanto movement
Zamenhofrsquos ideology treats languages as tools ofcommunication and communication as a tool for improvinghuman welfare These credos imply that a second-best languagethe world can agree to use is better than a ldquobestrdquo language onwhich the world cannot agree They imply also that the peoplesof the world have much in common so internationalcommunication will contribute to friendship and peace ratherthan animosity and war
13 of 26
An interlinguistic view ofminority languages
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
The Language Endangerment Framework
In the last ten years language planners and activists (both inside andoutside academia) were coordinated by UNESCO forming a panel ofexperts assessing a Language Endangerment Framework ie apractical methodology for what Spolsky [9] calls languagemanagement
Esperanto should find its way in every multilingual situation being afactor of equilibrium and fairness in communication
16 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (12)
LVE assignes a value from lsquo0rsquo (direst situation) to lsquo5rsquo (optimalsituation) to nine domains of the minority language
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes andpolicies including official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
17 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (22)
In which domains Esperanto could be more helpful
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes and policiesincluding official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
18 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (12)
Fishman [4] defines the lsquominimum programrsquo of reversing languageshift in preserving the intergenerational mother tongue transmission
Stage 8 Reconstruction and adult acquisitionStage 7 Interaction in the language are driven by oldergenerations typically grandparentsStage 6 The language is used only orally and within thecommunity eg families and neighbourhood by threegenerationsStage 5 The language is used also in written form with classesout of school lessons without any support outside thecommunity
In these dramatic stages pertaining endangered languages Esperantocan play little role
19 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (22)Stage 4b The language is compulsory in lower educationunder control of the minority groupStage 4a The language is compulsory in lower educationwith a wider recognition ie outside the minority groupStage 3 The region or local area of the language considers itnormal so that also members outside the community use it as aL2Stage 2 Public services by the government are provided in thelanguage as well as the media usageStage 1 The language is used also in contexts of higherprestige including higher education media and work within theregion and abroad
Language acquisition at school (stage 4) is a strategic area topromote the minority language the propaedeutic effect of Esperantocould be tested appropriately20 of 26
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language
Two examples
11 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language Two examples
11 of 26
The typical discourse behind minority languages
Language activists talk about ethnical cultural and historicalauthenticity An example from Menominee an Algonquian languagespoken in norther Wisconsin and Michingan studied by BloomfieldSapir and Skinner
Thatrsquos why knowing our language is so important because itteaches us who we are itrsquos not just a set of words Itrsquos aboutour history itrsquos about our heritage itrsquos about our way of lifethat our ancestors have fought and died for
Karen WashinawatokDirector of Menominee Language and Culture commission
12 of 26
The typical discourse behind Esperanto
Among others Jordan [5] effectively resumes the idea that movedZamenhof in planning Esperanto an idea that is at the basis of theEsperanto movement
Zamenhofrsquos ideology treats languages as tools ofcommunication and communication as a tool for improvinghuman welfare These credos imply that a second-best languagethe world can agree to use is better than a ldquobestrdquo language onwhich the world cannot agree They imply also that the peoplesof the world have much in common so internationalcommunication will contribute to friendship and peace ratherthan animosity and war
13 of 26
An interlinguistic view ofminority languages
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
The Language Endangerment Framework
In the last ten years language planners and activists (both inside andoutside academia) were coordinated by UNESCO forming a panel ofexperts assessing a Language Endangerment Framework ie apractical methodology for what Spolsky [9] calls languagemanagement
Esperanto should find its way in every multilingual situation being afactor of equilibrium and fairness in communication
16 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (12)
LVE assignes a value from lsquo0rsquo (direst situation) to lsquo5rsquo (optimalsituation) to nine domains of the minority language
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes andpolicies including official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
17 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (22)
In which domains Esperanto could be more helpful
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes and policiesincluding official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
18 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (12)
Fishman [4] defines the lsquominimum programrsquo of reversing languageshift in preserving the intergenerational mother tongue transmission
Stage 8 Reconstruction and adult acquisitionStage 7 Interaction in the language are driven by oldergenerations typically grandparentsStage 6 The language is used only orally and within thecommunity eg families and neighbourhood by threegenerationsStage 5 The language is used also in written form with classesout of school lessons without any support outside thecommunity
In these dramatic stages pertaining endangered languages Esperantocan play little role
19 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (22)Stage 4b The language is compulsory in lower educationunder control of the minority groupStage 4a The language is compulsory in lower educationwith a wider recognition ie outside the minority groupStage 3 The region or local area of the language considers itnormal so that also members outside the community use it as aL2Stage 2 Public services by the government are provided in thelanguage as well as the media usageStage 1 The language is used also in contexts of higherprestige including higher education media and work within theregion and abroad
Language acquisition at school (stage 4) is a strategic area topromote the minority language the propaedeutic effect of Esperantocould be tested appropriately20 of 26
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language
Two examples
11 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language Two examples
11 of 26
The typical discourse behind minority languages
Language activists talk about ethnical cultural and historicalauthenticity An example from Menominee an Algonquian languagespoken in norther Wisconsin and Michingan studied by BloomfieldSapir and Skinner
Thatrsquos why knowing our language is so important because itteaches us who we are itrsquos not just a set of words Itrsquos aboutour history itrsquos about our heritage itrsquos about our way of lifethat our ancestors have fought and died for
Karen WashinawatokDirector of Menominee Language and Culture commission
12 of 26
The typical discourse behind Esperanto
Among others Jordan [5] effectively resumes the idea that movedZamenhof in planning Esperanto an idea that is at the basis of theEsperanto movement
Zamenhofrsquos ideology treats languages as tools ofcommunication and communication as a tool for improvinghuman welfare These credos imply that a second-best languagethe world can agree to use is better than a ldquobestrdquo language onwhich the world cannot agree They imply also that the peoplesof the world have much in common so internationalcommunication will contribute to friendship and peace ratherthan animosity and war
13 of 26
An interlinguistic view ofminority languages
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
The Language Endangerment Framework
In the last ten years language planners and activists (both inside andoutside academia) were coordinated by UNESCO forming a panel ofexperts assessing a Language Endangerment Framework ie apractical methodology for what Spolsky [9] calls languagemanagement
Esperanto should find its way in every multilingual situation being afactor of equilibrium and fairness in communication
16 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (12)
LVE assignes a value from lsquo0rsquo (direst situation) to lsquo5rsquo (optimalsituation) to nine domains of the minority language
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes andpolicies including official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
17 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (22)
In which domains Esperanto could be more helpful
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes and policiesincluding official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
18 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (12)
Fishman [4] defines the lsquominimum programrsquo of reversing languageshift in preserving the intergenerational mother tongue transmission
Stage 8 Reconstruction and adult acquisitionStage 7 Interaction in the language are driven by oldergenerations typically grandparentsStage 6 The language is used only orally and within thecommunity eg families and neighbourhood by threegenerationsStage 5 The language is used also in written form with classesout of school lessons without any support outside thecommunity
In these dramatic stages pertaining endangered languages Esperantocan play little role
19 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (22)Stage 4b The language is compulsory in lower educationunder control of the minority groupStage 4a The language is compulsory in lower educationwith a wider recognition ie outside the minority groupStage 3 The region or local area of the language considers itnormal so that also members outside the community use it as aL2Stage 2 Public services by the government are provided in thelanguage as well as the media usageStage 1 The language is used also in contexts of higherprestige including higher education media and work within theregion and abroad
Language acquisition at school (stage 4) is a strategic area topromote the minority language the propaedeutic effect of Esperantocould be tested appropriately20 of 26
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
A somehow strange question Esperanto is proposed at an international level However there aresome sociolinguistic analogies between the Esperanto community ofpractice and minority languages put in evidence by Edwards [2]Romaine [8] and Kimura [6]
Analogies
both are lesser-used languages (minority in terms of numbers)
language activists are mostly volunteers ndash they do not earn a livingin practicing the language
speakers consider the language of high value while non-speakersare indifferent or even hostile often for biases
while Esperanto is clearly a non-ethnic language ndash rather an ethiclanguage ndash there is a recent tendency to relax the bond betweenethnicity and minority languages (eg when learned as a L2)
10 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language
Two examples
11 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language Two examples
11 of 26
The typical discourse behind minority languages
Language activists talk about ethnical cultural and historicalauthenticity An example from Menominee an Algonquian languagespoken in norther Wisconsin and Michingan studied by BloomfieldSapir and Skinner
Thatrsquos why knowing our language is so important because itteaches us who we are itrsquos not just a set of words Itrsquos aboutour history itrsquos about our heritage itrsquos about our way of lifethat our ancestors have fought and died for
Karen WashinawatokDirector of Menominee Language and Culture commission
12 of 26
The typical discourse behind Esperanto
Among others Jordan [5] effectively resumes the idea that movedZamenhof in planning Esperanto an idea that is at the basis of theEsperanto movement
Zamenhofrsquos ideology treats languages as tools ofcommunication and communication as a tool for improvinghuman welfare These credos imply that a second-best languagethe world can agree to use is better than a ldquobestrdquo language onwhich the world cannot agree They imply also that the peoplesof the world have much in common so internationalcommunication will contribute to friendship and peace ratherthan animosity and war
13 of 26
An interlinguistic view ofminority languages
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
The Language Endangerment Framework
In the last ten years language planners and activists (both inside andoutside academia) were coordinated by UNESCO forming a panel ofexperts assessing a Language Endangerment Framework ie apractical methodology for what Spolsky [9] calls languagemanagement
Esperanto should find its way in every multilingual situation being afactor of equilibrium and fairness in communication
16 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (12)
LVE assignes a value from lsquo0rsquo (direst situation) to lsquo5rsquo (optimalsituation) to nine domains of the minority language
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes andpolicies including official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
17 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (22)
In which domains Esperanto could be more helpful
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes and policiesincluding official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
18 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (12)
Fishman [4] defines the lsquominimum programrsquo of reversing languageshift in preserving the intergenerational mother tongue transmission
Stage 8 Reconstruction and adult acquisitionStage 7 Interaction in the language are driven by oldergenerations typically grandparentsStage 6 The language is used only orally and within thecommunity eg families and neighbourhood by threegenerationsStage 5 The language is used also in written form with classesout of school lessons without any support outside thecommunity
In these dramatic stages pertaining endangered languages Esperantocan play little role
19 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (22)Stage 4b The language is compulsory in lower educationunder control of the minority groupStage 4a The language is compulsory in lower educationwith a wider recognition ie outside the minority groupStage 3 The region or local area of the language considers itnormal so that also members outside the community use it as aL2Stage 2 Public services by the government are provided in thelanguage as well as the media usageStage 1 The language is used also in contexts of higherprestige including higher education media and work within theregion and abroad
Language acquisition at school (stage 4) is a strategic area topromote the minority language the propaedeutic effect of Esperantocould be tested appropriately20 of 26
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language
Two examples
11 of 26
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language Two examples
11 of 26
The typical discourse behind minority languages
Language activists talk about ethnical cultural and historicalauthenticity An example from Menominee an Algonquian languagespoken in norther Wisconsin and Michingan studied by BloomfieldSapir and Skinner
Thatrsquos why knowing our language is so important because itteaches us who we are itrsquos not just a set of words Itrsquos aboutour history itrsquos about our heritage itrsquos about our way of lifethat our ancestors have fought and died for
Karen WashinawatokDirector of Menominee Language and Culture commission
12 of 26
The typical discourse behind Esperanto
Among others Jordan [5] effectively resumes the idea that movedZamenhof in planning Esperanto an idea that is at the basis of theEsperanto movement
Zamenhofrsquos ideology treats languages as tools ofcommunication and communication as a tool for improvinghuman welfare These credos imply that a second-best languagethe world can agree to use is better than a ldquobestrdquo language onwhich the world cannot agree They imply also that the peoplesof the world have much in common so internationalcommunication will contribute to friendship and peace ratherthan animosity and war
13 of 26
An interlinguistic view ofminority languages
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
The Language Endangerment Framework
In the last ten years language planners and activists (both inside andoutside academia) were coordinated by UNESCO forming a panel ofexperts assessing a Language Endangerment Framework ie apractical methodology for what Spolsky [9] calls languagemanagement
Esperanto should find its way in every multilingual situation being afactor of equilibrium and fairness in communication
16 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (12)
LVE assignes a value from lsquo0rsquo (direst situation) to lsquo5rsquo (optimalsituation) to nine domains of the minority language
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes andpolicies including official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
17 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (22)
In which domains Esperanto could be more helpful
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes and policiesincluding official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
18 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (12)
Fishman [4] defines the lsquominimum programrsquo of reversing languageshift in preserving the intergenerational mother tongue transmission
Stage 8 Reconstruction and adult acquisitionStage 7 Interaction in the language are driven by oldergenerations typically grandparentsStage 6 The language is used only orally and within thecommunity eg families and neighbourhood by threegenerationsStage 5 The language is used also in written form with classesout of school lessons without any support outside thecommunity
In these dramatic stages pertaining endangered languages Esperantocan play little role
19 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (22)Stage 4b The language is compulsory in lower educationunder control of the minority groupStage 4a The language is compulsory in lower educationwith a wider recognition ie outside the minority groupStage 3 The region or local area of the language considers itnormal so that also members outside the community use it as aL2Stage 2 Public services by the government are provided in thelanguage as well as the media usageStage 1 The language is used also in contexts of higherprestige including higher education media and work within theregion and abroad
Language acquisition at school (stage 4) is a strategic area topromote the minority language the propaedeutic effect of Esperantocould be tested appropriately20 of 26
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
with a clear answer
However adopting our definition of minority language as a relationthere is no individuable majority language in contrast to Esperantonor a territory with a bilingual community
For example a Catalan can choose to be an Esperantist too while itcannot choose to be Welsh ndash unless adopted identity for instance bymarriage but it is a completely different situation
Taking the perspective of postmodern linguistics the rhetorics (in atechnical neutral sense) behind minority languages and Esperanto arevey different
Thatrsquos why Esperanto is not a minority language Two examples
11 of 26
The typical discourse behind minority languages
Language activists talk about ethnical cultural and historicalauthenticity An example from Menominee an Algonquian languagespoken in norther Wisconsin and Michingan studied by BloomfieldSapir and Skinner
Thatrsquos why knowing our language is so important because itteaches us who we are itrsquos not just a set of words Itrsquos aboutour history itrsquos about our heritage itrsquos about our way of lifethat our ancestors have fought and died for
Karen WashinawatokDirector of Menominee Language and Culture commission
12 of 26
The typical discourse behind Esperanto
Among others Jordan [5] effectively resumes the idea that movedZamenhof in planning Esperanto an idea that is at the basis of theEsperanto movement
Zamenhofrsquos ideology treats languages as tools ofcommunication and communication as a tool for improvinghuman welfare These credos imply that a second-best languagethe world can agree to use is better than a ldquobestrdquo language onwhich the world cannot agree They imply also that the peoplesof the world have much in common so internationalcommunication will contribute to friendship and peace ratherthan animosity and war
13 of 26
An interlinguistic view ofminority languages
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
The Language Endangerment Framework
In the last ten years language planners and activists (both inside andoutside academia) were coordinated by UNESCO forming a panel ofexperts assessing a Language Endangerment Framework ie apractical methodology for what Spolsky [9] calls languagemanagement
Esperanto should find its way in every multilingual situation being afactor of equilibrium and fairness in communication
16 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (12)
LVE assignes a value from lsquo0rsquo (direst situation) to lsquo5rsquo (optimalsituation) to nine domains of the minority language
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes andpolicies including official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
17 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (22)
In which domains Esperanto could be more helpful
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes and policiesincluding official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
18 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (12)
Fishman [4] defines the lsquominimum programrsquo of reversing languageshift in preserving the intergenerational mother tongue transmission
Stage 8 Reconstruction and adult acquisitionStage 7 Interaction in the language are driven by oldergenerations typically grandparentsStage 6 The language is used only orally and within thecommunity eg families and neighbourhood by threegenerationsStage 5 The language is used also in written form with classesout of school lessons without any support outside thecommunity
In these dramatic stages pertaining endangered languages Esperantocan play little role
19 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (22)Stage 4b The language is compulsory in lower educationunder control of the minority groupStage 4a The language is compulsory in lower educationwith a wider recognition ie outside the minority groupStage 3 The region or local area of the language considers itnormal so that also members outside the community use it as aL2Stage 2 Public services by the government are provided in thelanguage as well as the media usageStage 1 The language is used also in contexts of higherprestige including higher education media and work within theregion and abroad
Language acquisition at school (stage 4) is a strategic area topromote the minority language the propaedeutic effect of Esperantocould be tested appropriately20 of 26
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
The typical discourse behind minority languages
Language activists talk about ethnical cultural and historicalauthenticity An example from Menominee an Algonquian languagespoken in norther Wisconsin and Michingan studied by BloomfieldSapir and Skinner
Thatrsquos why knowing our language is so important because itteaches us who we are itrsquos not just a set of words Itrsquos aboutour history itrsquos about our heritage itrsquos about our way of lifethat our ancestors have fought and died for
Karen WashinawatokDirector of Menominee Language and Culture commission
12 of 26
The typical discourse behind Esperanto
Among others Jordan [5] effectively resumes the idea that movedZamenhof in planning Esperanto an idea that is at the basis of theEsperanto movement
Zamenhofrsquos ideology treats languages as tools ofcommunication and communication as a tool for improvinghuman welfare These credos imply that a second-best languagethe world can agree to use is better than a ldquobestrdquo language onwhich the world cannot agree They imply also that the peoplesof the world have much in common so internationalcommunication will contribute to friendship and peace ratherthan animosity and war
13 of 26
An interlinguistic view ofminority languages
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
The Language Endangerment Framework
In the last ten years language planners and activists (both inside andoutside academia) were coordinated by UNESCO forming a panel ofexperts assessing a Language Endangerment Framework ie apractical methodology for what Spolsky [9] calls languagemanagement
Esperanto should find its way in every multilingual situation being afactor of equilibrium and fairness in communication
16 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (12)
LVE assignes a value from lsquo0rsquo (direst situation) to lsquo5rsquo (optimalsituation) to nine domains of the minority language
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes andpolicies including official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
17 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (22)
In which domains Esperanto could be more helpful
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes and policiesincluding official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
18 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (12)
Fishman [4] defines the lsquominimum programrsquo of reversing languageshift in preserving the intergenerational mother tongue transmission
Stage 8 Reconstruction and adult acquisitionStage 7 Interaction in the language are driven by oldergenerations typically grandparentsStage 6 The language is used only orally and within thecommunity eg families and neighbourhood by threegenerationsStage 5 The language is used also in written form with classesout of school lessons without any support outside thecommunity
In these dramatic stages pertaining endangered languages Esperantocan play little role
19 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (22)Stage 4b The language is compulsory in lower educationunder control of the minority groupStage 4a The language is compulsory in lower educationwith a wider recognition ie outside the minority groupStage 3 The region or local area of the language considers itnormal so that also members outside the community use it as aL2Stage 2 Public services by the government are provided in thelanguage as well as the media usageStage 1 The language is used also in contexts of higherprestige including higher education media and work within theregion and abroad
Language acquisition at school (stage 4) is a strategic area topromote the minority language the propaedeutic effect of Esperantocould be tested appropriately20 of 26
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
The typical discourse behind Esperanto
Among others Jordan [5] effectively resumes the idea that movedZamenhof in planning Esperanto an idea that is at the basis of theEsperanto movement
Zamenhofrsquos ideology treats languages as tools ofcommunication and communication as a tool for improvinghuman welfare These credos imply that a second-best languagethe world can agree to use is better than a ldquobestrdquo language onwhich the world cannot agree They imply also that the peoplesof the world have much in common so internationalcommunication will contribute to friendship and peace ratherthan animosity and war
13 of 26
An interlinguistic view ofminority languages
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
The Language Endangerment Framework
In the last ten years language planners and activists (both inside andoutside academia) were coordinated by UNESCO forming a panel ofexperts assessing a Language Endangerment Framework ie apractical methodology for what Spolsky [9] calls languagemanagement
Esperanto should find its way in every multilingual situation being afactor of equilibrium and fairness in communication
16 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (12)
LVE assignes a value from lsquo0rsquo (direst situation) to lsquo5rsquo (optimalsituation) to nine domains of the minority language
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes andpolicies including official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
17 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (22)
In which domains Esperanto could be more helpful
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes and policiesincluding official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
18 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (12)
Fishman [4] defines the lsquominimum programrsquo of reversing languageshift in preserving the intergenerational mother tongue transmission
Stage 8 Reconstruction and adult acquisitionStage 7 Interaction in the language are driven by oldergenerations typically grandparentsStage 6 The language is used only orally and within thecommunity eg families and neighbourhood by threegenerationsStage 5 The language is used also in written form with classesout of school lessons without any support outside thecommunity
In these dramatic stages pertaining endangered languages Esperantocan play little role
19 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (22)Stage 4b The language is compulsory in lower educationunder control of the minority groupStage 4a The language is compulsory in lower educationwith a wider recognition ie outside the minority groupStage 3 The region or local area of the language considers itnormal so that also members outside the community use it as aL2Stage 2 Public services by the government are provided in thelanguage as well as the media usageStage 1 The language is used also in contexts of higherprestige including higher education media and work within theregion and abroad
Language acquisition at school (stage 4) is a strategic area topromote the minority language the propaedeutic effect of Esperantocould be tested appropriately20 of 26
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
An interlinguistic view ofminority languages
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
The Language Endangerment Framework
In the last ten years language planners and activists (both inside andoutside academia) were coordinated by UNESCO forming a panel ofexperts assessing a Language Endangerment Framework ie apractical methodology for what Spolsky [9] calls languagemanagement
Esperanto should find its way in every multilingual situation being afactor of equilibrium and fairness in communication
16 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (12)
LVE assignes a value from lsquo0rsquo (direst situation) to lsquo5rsquo (optimalsituation) to nine domains of the minority language
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes andpolicies including official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
17 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (22)
In which domains Esperanto could be more helpful
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes and policiesincluding official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
18 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (12)
Fishman [4] defines the lsquominimum programrsquo of reversing languageshift in preserving the intergenerational mother tongue transmission
Stage 8 Reconstruction and adult acquisitionStage 7 Interaction in the language are driven by oldergenerations typically grandparentsStage 6 The language is used only orally and within thecommunity eg families and neighbourhood by threegenerationsStage 5 The language is used also in written form with classesout of school lessons without any support outside thecommunity
In these dramatic stages pertaining endangered languages Esperantocan play little role
19 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (22)Stage 4b The language is compulsory in lower educationunder control of the minority groupStage 4a The language is compulsory in lower educationwith a wider recognition ie outside the minority groupStage 3 The region or local area of the language considers itnormal so that also members outside the community use it as aL2Stage 2 Public services by the government are provided in thelanguage as well as the media usageStage 1 The language is used also in contexts of higherprestige including higher education media and work within theregion and abroad
Language acquisition at school (stage 4) is a strategic area topromote the minority language the propaedeutic effect of Esperantocould be tested appropriately20 of 26
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
The Language Endangerment Framework
In the last ten years language planners and activists (both inside andoutside academia) were coordinated by UNESCO forming a panel ofexperts assessing a Language Endangerment Framework ie apractical methodology for what Spolsky [9] calls languagemanagement
Esperanto should find its way in every multilingual situation being afactor of equilibrium and fairness in communication
16 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (12)
LVE assignes a value from lsquo0rsquo (direst situation) to lsquo5rsquo (optimalsituation) to nine domains of the minority language
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes andpolicies including official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
17 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (22)
In which domains Esperanto could be more helpful
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes and policiesincluding official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
18 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (12)
Fishman [4] defines the lsquominimum programrsquo of reversing languageshift in preserving the intergenerational mother tongue transmission
Stage 8 Reconstruction and adult acquisitionStage 7 Interaction in the language are driven by oldergenerations typically grandparentsStage 6 The language is used only orally and within thecommunity eg families and neighbourhood by threegenerationsStage 5 The language is used also in written form with classesout of school lessons without any support outside thecommunity
In these dramatic stages pertaining endangered languages Esperantocan play little role
19 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (22)Stage 4b The language is compulsory in lower educationunder control of the minority groupStage 4a The language is compulsory in lower educationwith a wider recognition ie outside the minority groupStage 3 The region or local area of the language considers itnormal so that also members outside the community use it as aL2Stage 2 Public services by the government are provided in thelanguage as well as the media usageStage 1 The language is used also in contexts of higherprestige including higher education media and work within theregion and abroad
Language acquisition at school (stage 4) is a strategic area topromote the minority language the propaedeutic effect of Esperantocould be tested appropriately20 of 26
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
The Language Endangerment Framework
In the last ten years language planners and activists (both inside andoutside academia) were coordinated by UNESCO forming a panel ofexperts assessing a Language Endangerment Framework ie apractical methodology for what Spolsky [9] calls languagemanagement
Esperanto should find its way in every multilingual situation being afactor of equilibrium and fairness in communication
16 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (12)
LVE assignes a value from lsquo0rsquo (direst situation) to lsquo5rsquo (optimalsituation) to nine domains of the minority language
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes andpolicies including official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
17 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (22)
In which domains Esperanto could be more helpful
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes and policiesincluding official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
18 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (12)
Fishman [4] defines the lsquominimum programrsquo of reversing languageshift in preserving the intergenerational mother tongue transmission
Stage 8 Reconstruction and adult acquisitionStage 7 Interaction in the language are driven by oldergenerations typically grandparentsStage 6 The language is used only orally and within thecommunity eg families and neighbourhood by threegenerationsStage 5 The language is used also in written form with classesout of school lessons without any support outside thecommunity
In these dramatic stages pertaining endangered languages Esperantocan play little role
19 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (22)Stage 4b The language is compulsory in lower educationunder control of the minority groupStage 4a The language is compulsory in lower educationwith a wider recognition ie outside the minority groupStage 3 The region or local area of the language considers itnormal so that also members outside the community use it as aL2Stage 2 Public services by the government are provided in thelanguage as well as the media usageStage 1 The language is used also in contexts of higherprestige including higher education media and work within theregion and abroad
Language acquisition at school (stage 4) is a strategic area topromote the minority language the propaedeutic effect of Esperantocould be tested appropriately20 of 26
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
Esperanto as an ally of minority languagesHow can Esperanto be an ally of minority language activists Whatare the common traits shared by these movements Three domains
1 Language as a value per se Language activists learn teachpromote their languages as they give a value to the language initself ndash while outside the community the language is not consideredimportant
2 Ecological knowledge As biodiversity is considered a value in ourcontemporary world also the variety of languages in the world is avalue
3 A right-based discourse Our post-second world war society isfounded upon human rights where language rights are animportant part Two examples the International Mother LanguageDay (21 feb) or the Girona Manifesto by the PEN InternationalClub
15 of 26
The Language Endangerment Framework
In the last ten years language planners and activists (both inside andoutside academia) were coordinated by UNESCO forming a panel ofexperts assessing a Language Endangerment Framework ie apractical methodology for what Spolsky [9] calls languagemanagement
Esperanto should find its way in every multilingual situation being afactor of equilibrium and fairness in communication
16 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (12)
LVE assignes a value from lsquo0rsquo (direst situation) to lsquo5rsquo (optimalsituation) to nine domains of the minority language
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes andpolicies including official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
17 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (22)
In which domains Esperanto could be more helpful
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes and policiesincluding official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
18 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (12)
Fishman [4] defines the lsquominimum programrsquo of reversing languageshift in preserving the intergenerational mother tongue transmission
Stage 8 Reconstruction and adult acquisitionStage 7 Interaction in the language are driven by oldergenerations typically grandparentsStage 6 The language is used only orally and within thecommunity eg families and neighbourhood by threegenerationsStage 5 The language is used also in written form with classesout of school lessons without any support outside thecommunity
In these dramatic stages pertaining endangered languages Esperantocan play little role
19 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (22)Stage 4b The language is compulsory in lower educationunder control of the minority groupStage 4a The language is compulsory in lower educationwith a wider recognition ie outside the minority groupStage 3 The region or local area of the language considers itnormal so that also members outside the community use it as aL2Stage 2 Public services by the government are provided in thelanguage as well as the media usageStage 1 The language is used also in contexts of higherprestige including higher education media and work within theregion and abroad
Language acquisition at school (stage 4) is a strategic area topromote the minority language the propaedeutic effect of Esperantocould be tested appropriately20 of 26
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
The Language Endangerment Framework
In the last ten years language planners and activists (both inside andoutside academia) were coordinated by UNESCO forming a panel ofexperts assessing a Language Endangerment Framework ie apractical methodology for what Spolsky [9] calls languagemanagement
Esperanto should find its way in every multilingual situation being afactor of equilibrium and fairness in communication
16 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (12)
LVE assignes a value from lsquo0rsquo (direst situation) to lsquo5rsquo (optimalsituation) to nine domains of the minority language
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes andpolicies including official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
17 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (22)
In which domains Esperanto could be more helpful
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes and policiesincluding official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
18 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (12)
Fishman [4] defines the lsquominimum programrsquo of reversing languageshift in preserving the intergenerational mother tongue transmission
Stage 8 Reconstruction and adult acquisitionStage 7 Interaction in the language are driven by oldergenerations typically grandparentsStage 6 The language is used only orally and within thecommunity eg families and neighbourhood by threegenerationsStage 5 The language is used also in written form with classesout of school lessons without any support outside thecommunity
In these dramatic stages pertaining endangered languages Esperantocan play little role
19 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (22)Stage 4b The language is compulsory in lower educationunder control of the minority groupStage 4a The language is compulsory in lower educationwith a wider recognition ie outside the minority groupStage 3 The region or local area of the language considers itnormal so that also members outside the community use it as aL2Stage 2 Public services by the government are provided in thelanguage as well as the media usageStage 1 The language is used also in contexts of higherprestige including higher education media and work within theregion and abroad
Language acquisition at school (stage 4) is a strategic area topromote the minority language the propaedeutic effect of Esperantocould be tested appropriately20 of 26
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (12)
LVE assignes a value from lsquo0rsquo (direst situation) to lsquo5rsquo (optimalsituation) to nine domains of the minority language
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes andpolicies including official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
17 of 26
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (22)
In which domains Esperanto could be more helpful
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes and policiesincluding official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
18 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (12)
Fishman [4] defines the lsquominimum programrsquo of reversing languageshift in preserving the intergenerational mother tongue transmission
Stage 8 Reconstruction and adult acquisitionStage 7 Interaction in the language are driven by oldergenerations typically grandparentsStage 6 The language is used only orally and within thecommunity eg families and neighbourhood by threegenerationsStage 5 The language is used also in written form with classesout of school lessons without any support outside thecommunity
In these dramatic stages pertaining endangered languages Esperantocan play little role
19 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (22)Stage 4b The language is compulsory in lower educationunder control of the minority groupStage 4a The language is compulsory in lower educationwith a wider recognition ie outside the minority groupStage 3 The region or local area of the language considers itnormal so that also members outside the community use it as aL2Stage 2 Public services by the government are provided in thelanguage as well as the media usageStage 1 The language is used also in contexts of higherprestige including higher education media and work within theregion and abroad
Language acquisition at school (stage 4) is a strategic area topromote the minority language the propaedeutic effect of Esperantocould be tested appropriately20 of 26
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
The UNESCO guideline Language Vitality andEndangerment (LVE) and Esperanto (22)
In which domains Esperanto could be more helpful
1 Intergenerational language transmission2 Absolute number of speakers3 Proportion of speakers within the total population4 Shifts in domains of language use5 Response to new domains and media6 Availability of materials for language education and literacy7 Governmental and institutional language attitudes and policiesincluding official status and use8 Community membersrsquo attitudes toward their own language9 Amount and quality of documentation
18 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (12)
Fishman [4] defines the lsquominimum programrsquo of reversing languageshift in preserving the intergenerational mother tongue transmission
Stage 8 Reconstruction and adult acquisitionStage 7 Interaction in the language are driven by oldergenerations typically grandparentsStage 6 The language is used only orally and within thecommunity eg families and neighbourhood by threegenerationsStage 5 The language is used also in written form with classesout of school lessons without any support outside thecommunity
In these dramatic stages pertaining endangered languages Esperantocan play little role
19 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (22)Stage 4b The language is compulsory in lower educationunder control of the minority groupStage 4a The language is compulsory in lower educationwith a wider recognition ie outside the minority groupStage 3 The region or local area of the language considers itnormal so that also members outside the community use it as aL2Stage 2 Public services by the government are provided in thelanguage as well as the media usageStage 1 The language is used also in contexts of higherprestige including higher education media and work within theregion and abroad
Language acquisition at school (stage 4) is a strategic area topromote the minority language the propaedeutic effect of Esperantocould be tested appropriately20 of 26
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (12)
Fishman [4] defines the lsquominimum programrsquo of reversing languageshift in preserving the intergenerational mother tongue transmission
Stage 8 Reconstruction and adult acquisitionStage 7 Interaction in the language are driven by oldergenerations typically grandparentsStage 6 The language is used only orally and within thecommunity eg families and neighbourhood by threegenerationsStage 5 The language is used also in written form with classesout of school lessons without any support outside thecommunity
In these dramatic stages pertaining endangered languages Esperantocan play little role
19 of 26
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (22)Stage 4b The language is compulsory in lower educationunder control of the minority groupStage 4a The language is compulsory in lower educationwith a wider recognition ie outside the minority groupStage 3 The region or local area of the language considers itnormal so that also members outside the community use it as aL2Stage 2 Public services by the government are provided in thelanguage as well as the media usageStage 1 The language is used also in contexts of higherprestige including higher education media and work within theregion and abroad
Language acquisition at school (stage 4) is a strategic area topromote the minority language the propaedeutic effect of Esperantocould be tested appropriately20 of 26
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
The Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (22)Stage 4b The language is compulsory in lower educationunder control of the minority groupStage 4a The language is compulsory in lower educationwith a wider recognition ie outside the minority groupStage 3 The region or local area of the language considers itnormal so that also members outside the community use it as aL2Stage 2 Public services by the government are provided in thelanguage as well as the media usageStage 1 The language is used also in contexts of higherprestige including higher education media and work within theregion and abroad
Language acquisition at school (stage 4) is a strategic area topromote the minority language the propaedeutic effect of Esperantocould be tested appropriately20 of 26
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
Open problem how to gather more support
Romaine [7] recently has pointed out that sustainability is a fuzzyconcept nowadays mainstream takes care of what can be measuredin economic terms
Perhaps language policy experts and language activists should turn towelfare theory or other areas of economics ndash economics oflanguages being an emergent research field
22 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
An example of language policy as a (missing) variable
The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiativefor the UN It publishes a report every year about lsquoworld happinessrsquoFacts worth a mention
the questionnaire is translated ndash something controversial in theliterature for the evaluation of the data
there is no explicit variable concerning the language(s) used ineveryday life as factors of happiness (or not) even if it is clear thatthe repertoire strongly affects many variables taken intoconsiderations such as lsquofreedom to make life choicesrsquo or lsquohouseholdincomersquo
23 of 26
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
A final advice
The link between biodiversity conservation
poverty reduction and language diversity
preservation is worth more investigation also
for supporters and scholars dealing with
minority languages and Esperanto alike
Joining forces could be a good win-win
strategy
24 of 26
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
References
Edwards J 1992 Sociopolitical aspects of language maintenance and loss Towards a Typology of Minority
Language Situations John Benjamins chapter 3In Fase et al (eds)
Edwards J 2010 Minority Languages and Group Identity John Benjamins
Fase W Jaspaert K Kroon S eds 1992 Maintenance and Loss of Minority Languages John Benjamins
Fishman J A 1991 Reversing Language Shift Theoretical and Empirical Assistance to Threatened Languages
Multilingual Matters
Jordan D K 1987 lsquoEsperanto amp esperantism symbols and motivations in a movement for linguistic equalityrsquo
Language Problems amp Language Planning 11(1) 104ndash125
Kimura G C 2012 lsquoEsperanto and minority languages A sociolinguistic comparisonrsquo Language Problems amp
Language Planning 36(2) 167ndash181
Romaine S 2013 lsquoLanguage and sustainable development Integrating the economics of language policy with
poverty reduction and biodiversity conservationrsquo Workshop on The Economics of Language Policy VeniceInternational University San Servolo
Romaine S 2011 lsquoRevitalized Languages as Invented Languagesrsquo in Adams M eds From Elvish to Klingon
Oxford University Press
Spolsky B 2009 Language Management Cambridge University Press
25 of 26
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
Thanks for your attention
Questions
For proposals ideas amp comments
federicogobbounitoit
Download amp share these slides here
httpfedericogobbonameen2013html
CCcopy BYcopy $copy Ccopy Federico Gobbo 2013
26 of 26
- What is a minority language
- Is Esperanto a minority language
- An interlinguistic view of minority languages
- Concluding remarks
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