Multilingualism : understanding linguistic diversity / John Edwards.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Edwards, John, 1947 December 3- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Multilingualism.

Sociolinguistics.

Language and languages--Variation.

Language and languages.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xv, 131 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

London, England ; New York : Continuum, 2012.

Summary:

Multilingualism is everywhere in a globalised society. This book looks at its consequences, from the development of multilingual communities to language competition and variation. Edwards examines lingua francas, pidgins, creoles and artificial languages on the way to developing a snapshot of the social life of language.

HOW DO LANGUAGES LIVE AND DIE? WHAT ROLE DOES TRANSLATION PLAY IN HELPING LANGUAGES TO THRIVE? ARE POLYGLOTS VIEWED WITH SUSPICION, GIVEN THE LINKS BETWEEN LANGUAGE AND IDENTITY? IS THE MAINTENANCE AND REVIVAL OF FLAGGING LANGUAGES WORTH THE EFFORT? CAN A LANGUAGE REMAIN 'PURE'? IF LANGUAGE PATTERNS CONSTANTLY ALTER, WHAT DOES THIS SAY ABOUT IDENTITY? Multilingualism is everywhere in a globalized society. This book looks at the origins and development of languages, at language contact and competition, and at the emergence and the consequences of multilingualism.a Edwards also examines lingua francas, pidgins, creoles and artificial languages as a part of a broader snapshot of the social life of language. This compelling short introduction is required reading for all entry-level students of multilingualism, and a primer for language lovers in general.

Contents:

Prologue \ 1. The Diversity of Languages \ 2. Interpreting Language Diversity \ 3. Multilingual Abilities \ 4. The Emergence and Measurement of Multilingualism \ 5. The Consequences of Babel: Lingua Francas \ 6. The Consequences of Babel: Translation \ 7. Keeping Languages Pure \ 8. Languages and Identities in Transition \ 9. Endangered Languages and the Will to Survive \ 10. Linguistic Intervention and the "New" Ecology of Language \ Epilogue \ Notes and References \ Index

Notes:

Formerly CIP.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9781441126955

1441126953

9781441113764

1441113762

9781441196132

1441196137

OCLC:

893331532