The value of a language
-
Christian Lehmann
Abstract
While the notion value of a language is not established in linguistic theory, evaluation of languages has occurred both inside the discipline and in practical contexts. It is the aim of this article to provide a theoretical foundation for this notion. To this end, the relevant components of the notion of value are examined and then applied to the evaluation of languages. The discussion considers arguments and evidence that have been adduced in the literature and tries to systematize them. The conclusion is that a rational discussion of the value of a language in different respects is possible, although given the intrinsic value of every language as such, linguistics cannot be used to justify a declaration of the superfluity of a language.
© Mouton de Gruyter – Societas Linguistica Europaea
Articles in the same Issue
- Editorial note
- Obstruent devoicing and voice assimilation in Slovene
- The value of a language
- Parts-of-speech systems and dependent clauses: A typological study
- A misconception about the Baldwin Effect: Implications for language evolution
- Esphoric the N of a(n) N-nominals: Forward bridging to an indefinite reference point
- Book Reviews
- Report on the 38th Annual Meeting of the Societas Linguistica Europaea (Valencia, 7–10 September 2005)
- 40th Annual Meeting of the Societas Linguistica Europaea: 29 August–1 September 2007
- Index to volume 40
Articles in the same Issue
- Editorial note
- Obstruent devoicing and voice assimilation in Slovene
- The value of a language
- Parts-of-speech systems and dependent clauses: A typological study
- A misconception about the Baldwin Effect: Implications for language evolution
- Esphoric the N of a(n) N-nominals: Forward bridging to an indefinite reference point
- Book Reviews
- Report on the 38th Annual Meeting of the Societas Linguistica Europaea (Valencia, 7–10 September 2005)
- 40th Annual Meeting of the Societas Linguistica Europaea: 29 August–1 September 2007
- Index to volume 40
