Date: 12-Dec-2007 From: Shereen Muhyeddeen <s.muhyeddeenpalgrave.com> Subject: Linguistic Minorities in Democratic Context: Williams E-mail this message to a friend
Title: Linguistic Minorities in Democratic Context
Published: 2007
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
http://www.palgrave.com
Author: Colin Williams
Hardback: ISBN: 9781403987211 Pages: 456 Price: U.K. £ 55.00
Abstract:
Linguistic Minorities in Democratic Context blends a discussion of the role of language minorities in politics with a detailed understanding of applied language policy in a variety of contexts ranging from Quebec, the Basque Country and Wales to Gaelic Scotland and Northern Ireland. Colin Williams discusses the controversial and contemporary issues of minority rights and language protection, the policies of the state in privileging powerful majorities, the new opportunities and challenges ushered in by regional-level devolution in Europe and the influence which globalization has on language competition and survival. He argues that after centuries of discrimination, well placed linguistic minorities are in positions of power and influence and must devise new strategies and justification to cope with the demands of responsible government. His analysis provides a fresh interpretation of the role of minorities within plurinational states and poses difficult questions for the framers of policies which seek to promote unity in diversity in both Europe and North America.
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