The defence of French : a language in crisis? / Robin Adamson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Adamson, Robin.

Series:

Multilingual matters ; 137

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

French language.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (219 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Other Title:

The defense of French

Place of Publication:

Clevedon, England ; Buffalo, N.Y. : Multilingual Matters, c2007.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Why do the French defend their language so passionately? Can a world language like French really be in crisis? By tracing the long history of language defence in France and by examining the multiplicity of official and non-official defensive activities and attitudes, the book aims to answer these and other related questions. It looks at changing government policy, particularly the recent paradoxical shift from monolingualism to plurilingualism, and at what has motivated it. It analyses the work of the powerful government agencies and of the small but very vocal private defensive groups. The importance of the Internet is highlighted both by its extensive use in the research for the book and by an examination of its use by the language defenders. A European context is provided by comparisons with Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. Finally, a look at various contemporary problems leads to a thought-provoking prognosis for this most strongly-defended of European languages.

Contents:

Front matter

Contents

List of Tables

List of Abbreviations

Preface

Introduction

1. Defending French: A Story of Love and Power

2. The Dynamics of the Defence of French: Some Contemporary Themes and Trends

3. Official Agencies: The Language of Power

4. Language and Politics – Inseparable Partners

5. Languages in Other Countries: How Does France Compare?

6. Problems and Paradoxes; Interference and Interaction

7. Conclusion

Notes

Bibliography

Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 181-195) and index.

ISBN:

9786610828586

9781280828584

1280828587

9781853599507

1853599506

OCLC:

476054687