3. Rescaling the problem of language difference: Some observations for policy and practice of language support in an era of globalisation
-
Stef Slembrouck
Abstract
This Chapter addresses the relevance of TimeSpace-scale analysis and scaled decision-making for understanding and shaping the distribution and allocation of linguistic strategies and resources when forms of language support are organisationally and interactionally made available in institutional and professional contexts of service provision. Contemporary conditions of immigration-affected multilingualism have put in the foreground questions of language, activity and space, in ways which challenge more traditional frameworks which view multilingualism exclusively as properties of individual speakers and of communities of speakers of the same language (entities defined by ethnicity and/or nationality). An alternative framework puts equal emphasis on the organisational and interactionally-manifest distribution of linguistic resources in and across particular spaces and activities, as well as on how enacted strategies depend on the context-sensitive affordances of particular spaces and activities. At the same time, it is demonstrated how sociolinguistic scales interact with language ideological assumptions about language, community membership, institutional identity and instrumental reliability. The Chapter builds further on the results of two empirical studies conducted in the Flemish-Belgian context of heightened (sub)urban multilingualism following successive immigration waves since the 1960s. Taken together, the two studies provide strong evidence for the interpretative relevance of “scale”, as an explicit and reflexive “tool” when engaging with contexts where policy has to demonstrate flexibility and context-sensitivity. “Rescaling” thus provides a purposeful metaphor for formulating directions for multilingual capacity building. The Chapter concludes with a discussion of a set of “scaled” policy recommendations.
Abstract
This Chapter addresses the relevance of TimeSpace-scale analysis and scaled decision-making for understanding and shaping the distribution and allocation of linguistic strategies and resources when forms of language support are organisationally and interactionally made available in institutional and professional contexts of service provision. Contemporary conditions of immigration-affected multilingualism have put in the foreground questions of language, activity and space, in ways which challenge more traditional frameworks which view multilingualism exclusively as properties of individual speakers and of communities of speakers of the same language (entities defined by ethnicity and/or nationality). An alternative framework puts equal emphasis on the organisational and interactionally-manifest distribution of linguistic resources in and across particular spaces and activities, as well as on how enacted strategies depend on the context-sensitive affordances of particular spaces and activities. At the same time, it is demonstrated how sociolinguistic scales interact with language ideological assumptions about language, community membership, institutional identity and instrumental reliability. The Chapter builds further on the results of two empirical studies conducted in the Flemish-Belgian context of heightened (sub)urban multilingualism following successive immigration waves since the 1960s. Taken together, the two studies provide strong evidence for the interpretative relevance of “scale”, as an explicit and reflexive “tool” when engaging with contexts where policy has to demonstrate flexibility and context-sensitivity. “Rescaling” thus provides a purposeful metaphor for formulating directions for multilingual capacity building. The Chapter concludes with a discussion of a set of “scaled” policy recommendations.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Acknowledgements VII
- Contents IX
- Introduction 1
-
Part 1: Tensions between language policies and language practices
- 1. Language policies versus language practices: A new language conflict? 13
- 2. Multilingualism and immigration in the educational system: The case of Italian schools 37
-
Part 2: Responses to multilingual challenges in the field of societal practices
- 3. Rescaling the problem of language difference: Some observations for policy and practice of language support in an era of globalisation 71
- 4. “Only dirty things!” Functions of mother tongue use in collaborative group work 91
-
Part 3: Responses to multilingual challenges in the context of family policies and practices
- 5. Urban multilingualism and family language policy 121
- 6. Multilingual family practices: An interactional study 141
-
Part 4: New ways of mapping multilingual proficiency
- 7. Sociopragmatic competence and second language acquisition: Learners of English in a study abroad context 167
- 8. The building of textual cohesion in the narrations of bilingual children: Implications for bilingualism and multilingual societies 191
- Conclusion 217
- Index 227
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Acknowledgements VII
- Contents IX
- Introduction 1
-
Part 1: Tensions between language policies and language practices
- 1. Language policies versus language practices: A new language conflict? 13
- 2. Multilingualism and immigration in the educational system: The case of Italian schools 37
-
Part 2: Responses to multilingual challenges in the field of societal practices
- 3. Rescaling the problem of language difference: Some observations for policy and practice of language support in an era of globalisation 71
- 4. “Only dirty things!” Functions of mother tongue use in collaborative group work 91
-
Part 3: Responses to multilingual challenges in the context of family policies and practices
- 5. Urban multilingualism and family language policy 121
- 6. Multilingual family practices: An interactional study 141
-
Part 4: New ways of mapping multilingual proficiency
- 7. Sociopragmatic competence and second language acquisition: Learners of English in a study abroad context 167
- 8. The building of textual cohesion in the narrations of bilingual children: Implications for bilingualism and multilingual societies 191
- Conclusion 217
- Index 227
