Date: 25-Mar-2007
From: Goro Kimura <nitobe2007 gmail.com>
Subject: European Languages and Asian Nations
European Languages and Asian Nations
Short Title: 5th Nitobe Symposium
Date: 02-Aug-2007 - 03-Aug-2007
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Contact: Goro Kimura
Contact Email: nitobe2007gmail.com
Meeting URL: http://www.info.sophia.ac.jp/g-areas/nitobe2007.htm
Linguistic Field(s): Sociolinguistics
Meeting Description:
The symposium will explore the historical and contemporary role and future
perspectives of European languages in Asia. It will also raise the question of
whether it is possible to formulate an international language policy that is
uniquely Asian, given the firm establishment of European languages, or whether
each Asian country should simply go its own way. As far as language policy is
concerned, are the words "Western" and "global" mere synonyms, or do the Asian
languages have a role in international language policy and does globalization
have its uniquely Asian aspects?
European languages have played a key role in the modernization process in Asia.
While European languages have served as an instrument of colonialist rule, they
have also been welcomed as tools for the introduction of modern technologies and
ideas from the West. Now, several centuries after the process began, a number
of European languages have taken root in Asian countries, while other languages
have largely lost their former leading positions. European languages have thus
become part of Asian history and an integral part of the Asian present.
The symposium will explore the historical and contemporary role and future
perspectives of European languages in Asia. It will also raise the question of
whether it is possible to formulate an international language policy that is
uniquely Asian, given the firm establishment of European languages, or whether
each Asian country should simply go its own way. As far as language policy is
concerned, are the words ''Western'' and ''global'' mere synonyms, or do the
Asian languages have a role in international language policy and does
globalization have its uniquely Asian aspects?
Questions to be addressed include the following:
- How have European languages influenced, and how do they continue to influence,
communication in Asia? What aspects of life are most dependent on them; what
aspects make most use of Asian languages?
- What are the consequences for Asians and Asian societies of the present
language system, in which European and Asian languages divide between them
various functions (communication, culture, identity, policy)?
- Do European languages contribute only to globalization, or also to development
of national and regional identities? How do they influence cultural development?
- Who are the owners of these European languages? To what extent have the
peoples of Asia made these languages their own?
- Can one point to an increase in the international (regional or worldwide)
significance of any Asian languages?
- What is the future of the English language in Asia? What role does it play in
the various individual countries? What factors will influence its further
expansion and integration?
- What other European languages have a significant role in Asia?
- What principles should guide realistic national or international language
policy in Asia?
- What place should European and Asian languages occupy in the education system?
- Are language-policy models elsewhere in the world applicable to Asia - for
example European multilingualism, Swiss plurilingualism, Canadian bilingualism?
Program. The program will consist of lectures by invited lecturers, presentation
of formal papers by other invitees, and general debate and discussion.
Sub-topics.
1. Introductory lectures
2. Problems and challenges of the worldwide language regime.
3. An English-only Asia? The role of English in Asia.
4. Languages of European origin in Asia, e.g. French, German, Portuguese,
Esperanto.
Application.
Please request an invitation to the symposium before 30. May 2007.
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