Language, a right and a resource : approaching linguistic human rights / edited by Miklós Kontra ... [and others].

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Kontra, Miklós.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Language and languages--Political aspects.

Language and languages--Moral and ethical aspects.

Human rights.

Language and languages.

Physical Description:

xi, 346 pages : illustrations, map ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Budapest, Hungary ; New York : Central European University Press, [1999]

Summary:

Linguistic Human Rights (LHR) is a fast growing new area of study combining the principles of national and international law with the study of language as a central dimension of ethnicity. Implementation of these principles is aimed at ensuring that no state or society violates these basic rights.

This path breaking study broadens our knowledge of the important role of language in minority rights and in social and political struggles for LHRs. Exploring the interactions of linguistic diversity, biodiversity, the free market and human rights, the contributors present case studies to highlight such issues as Kurdish satellite TV attempting to create a virtual state on the air through trying to achieve basic LHRs for Kurds in Turkey; the implementation of LHRs in the Baltic states; language rights activism in Canada; the spread of English as an international language; and the obstacles met in education by Roma and the Deaf in Hungary because of lack of appropriate LHRs. Book jacket.

Contents:

Introduction: Conceptualising and Implementing Linguistic Human Rights / Miklos Kontra, Robert Phillipson, Tove Skutnabb-Kangas, Tibor Varady 1

General issues

International Languages and International Human Rights / Robert Phillipson 25

Heroes, Rebels, Communities and States in Language Rights Activism and Litigation / Angeline Martel 47

"Don't Speak Hungarian in Public!"

A Documentation and Analysis of Folk Linguistic Rights / Miklos Kontra 81

The Common Language Problem / Mart Rannut 99

Legal issues

The Existing Rights of Minorities in International Law / Fernand de Varennes 117

The Slovak State Language Law as a Trade Law Problem / Bart Driessen 147

Market issues

Market Forces, Language Spread and Linguistic Diversity / Francois Grin 169

Linguistic Diversity, Human Rights and the "Free" Market / Tove Skutnabb-Kangas 187

Language Rights in the Emerging World Linguistic Order: The State, the Market and Communication Technologies / Amir Hassanpour 223

Language planning issues

Separating Language from Ethnicity: The Paradoxes of Strict Language Policies and Increasing Social Harmony in the Baltic States / Uldis Ozolins 245

Language Policy in a Changing Society: Problematic Issues in the Implementation of International Linguistic Human Rights Standards / Ina Druviete 263

Education and ethnicity issues

The Recognition of Sign Language: A Threat or the Way to a Solution? / Istvan Muzsnai 279

Linguistic Human Rights Problems among Romani and Boyash Speakers in Hungary with Special Attention to Education / Andrea Szalai 297

Contempt for Linguistic Human Rights in the Service of the Catholic Church: The Case of the Csangos / Klara Sandor 317.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9639116637

9639116645

OCLC:

42603429