Myths we live and speak by
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Winifred V. Davies
Abstract
This chapter examines beliefs about language(s), showing how they are rooted in and help maintain a standard language ideology, i.e. the conviction that certain languages exist in uniform standardised forms and that such forms are desirable. Such an ideology is widespread, although not universal, and has influenced lay and expert approaches to the study of language(s), as I show for example in a discussion of the concepts “vernacular” and “variety”. Characteristics of the standard, like uniformity and determinacy, are postulated as ideal characteristics of all varieties. Speakers influenced by standard language ideology often interpret language contact and language “mixing” negatively as incompetent or sloppy language use. I discuss alternative ways of conceptualising language that might encourage a more positive view of multilingualism.
Abstract
This chapter examines beliefs about language(s), showing how they are rooted in and help maintain a standard language ideology, i.e. the conviction that certain languages exist in uniform standardised forms and that such forms are desirable. Such an ideology is widespread, although not universal, and has influenced lay and expert approaches to the study of language(s), as I show for example in a discussion of the concepts “vernacular” and “variety”. Characteristics of the standard, like uniformity and determinacy, are postulated as ideal characteristics of all varieties. Speakers influenced by standard language ideology often interpret language contact and language “mixing” negatively as incompetent or sloppy language use. I discuss alternative ways of conceptualising language that might encourage a more positive view of multilingualism.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- Multilingualism in a standard language culture 1
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I. Theoretical considerations and historical background
- Myths we live and speak by 45
- Marching forward into the past 71
- Language and ethnicity in a European context 97
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II. Case-studies
- Multilingual speakers in a monolingual society 127
- Multilingualism and standardization in Greece 153
- The development of Finnish into a national language 179
- Traces of monolingual and plurilingual ideologies in the history of language policies in France 205
- Centripetal and centrifugal forces in the sociolinguistic configuration of the Iberian Peninsula 231
- Dutch in Belgium 259
- The Caucasus 283
- Multilingualism and the disputed standardizations of Macedonian and Moldovan 309
- Name index 329
- Language index 331
- Index of geographical names 333
- Subject index 335
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- Multilingualism in a standard language culture 1
-
I. Theoretical considerations and historical background
- Myths we live and speak by 45
- Marching forward into the past 71
- Language and ethnicity in a European context 97
-
II. Case-studies
- Multilingual speakers in a monolingual society 127
- Multilingualism and standardization in Greece 153
- The development of Finnish into a national language 179
- Traces of monolingual and plurilingual ideologies in the history of language policies in France 205
- Centripetal and centrifugal forces in the sociolinguistic configuration of the Iberian Peninsula 231
- Dutch in Belgium 259
- The Caucasus 283
- Multilingualism and the disputed standardizations of Macedonian and Moldovan 309
- Name index 329
- Language index 331
- Index of geographical names 333
- Subject index 335
