Ideologies in Iceland
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Ari Páll Kristinsson
Abstract
The author shows that while Iceland’s protectionist language ideologies are deeply rooted as to the forms of Icelandic, Icelanders are more pragmatic when it comes to questions of language choice. It is therefore not contradictory that English is increasingly used in Icelandic academia, even if this is a purist speech community. The chapter draws on data on purist language attitudes and practices concerning the native linguistic code, and on practices that reveal that increased use of English in Iceland, notably in tertiary education and research, is popularly accepted as natural. Therefore, recent official language policies (in 2009) and legislation (in 2011), aiming to restrict the use of English at Icelandic universities, are not likely to be effective in the long run.
Abstract
The author shows that while Iceland’s protectionist language ideologies are deeply rooted as to the forms of Icelandic, Icelanders are more pragmatic when it comes to questions of language choice. It is therefore not contradictory that English is increasingly used in Icelandic academia, even if this is a purist speech community. The chapter draws on data on purist language attitudes and practices concerning the native linguistic code, and on practices that reveal that increased use of English in Iceland, notably in tertiary education and research, is popularly accepted as natural. Therefore, recent official language policies (in 2009) and legislation (in 2011), aiming to restrict the use of English at Icelandic universities, are not likely to be effective in the long run.
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
