Local majority and minority languages and English in the university
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Jan K. Lindström
Abstract
This study explores the usage and demand for local languages and English in a range of universities in Nordic countries. The University of Helsinki is in focus because of its bilingual status with two national languages, which have an official but not an equal position in practice. This research site was compared with five other universities working on a unilingual or multilingual basis. The study reveals tensions between official language policies and grassroots practices; language choice also creates tensions between national and global sciences. While official language policies may be soft steering instruments, they safeguard the presence of a non-default language. However, the increasing presence of English challenges traditional university language policies, calling for a reevaluation of them.
Abstract
This study explores the usage and demand for local languages and English in a range of universities in Nordic countries. The University of Helsinki is in focus because of its bilingual status with two national languages, which have an official but not an equal position in practice. This research site was compared with five other universities working on a unilingual or multilingual basis. The study reveals tensions between official language policies and grassroots practices; language choice also creates tensions between national and global sciences. While official language policies may be soft steering instruments, they safeguard the presence of a non-default language. However, the increasing presence of English challenges traditional university language policies, calling for a reevaluation of them.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- English at Nordic universities 1
- Parallel languages in the history of language ideology in Norway and the lesson for Nordic higher education 27
- Language planning in practice in the Norwegian higher education sector 53
- Language ideology and shifting representations of linguistic threats 83
- Zooming in on language practices in Swedish higher education. A discussion of five studies and their normative versus dynamic approach towards policy and practice 111
- Language ideologies in Finnish higher education in the national and international context 127
- Local majority and minority languages and English in the university 147
- Ideologies in Iceland 165
- English at the University of Iceland 179
- Language Ideologies in Danish Higher Education 193
- Linguistic realities at the University of Copenhagen - Parallel language use in practice as seen from the perspective of international staff 225
- English from above and below, and from outside 251
- Index of topics 265
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- English at Nordic universities 1
- Parallel languages in the history of language ideology in Norway and the lesson for Nordic higher education 27
- Language planning in practice in the Norwegian higher education sector 53
- Language ideology and shifting representations of linguistic threats 83
- Zooming in on language practices in Swedish higher education. A discussion of five studies and their normative versus dynamic approach towards policy and practice 111
- Language ideologies in Finnish higher education in the national and international context 127
- Local majority and minority languages and English in the university 147
- Ideologies in Iceland 165
- English at the University of Iceland 179
- Language Ideologies in Danish Higher Education 193
- Linguistic realities at the University of Copenhagen - Parallel language use in practice as seen from the perspective of international staff 225
- English from above and below, and from outside 251
- Index of topics 265
