TheDefence of French : : A Language in Crisis? / / Robin Adamson.

• Superior document: Title is part of eBook package: De Gruyter MultiLingual Matters Backlist eBook-Package 2000-2013
• VerfasserIn: Adamson, Robin,
• Place / Publishing House: Bristol ;, Blue Ridge Summit : : Multilingual Matters, , [2007]; ©2007
• Year of Publication: 2007
• Language: English
• Series: Multilingual Matters
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (224 p.)

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.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter -- 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