Alsatian versus Standard German: Regional Language Bilingual Primary Education in Alsace

Michelle Anne Harrison

doi:10.1515/multi-2014-0046

Article

Alsatian versus Standard German: Regional Language Bilingual Primary Education in Alsace

Michelle Anne Harrison

Published/Copyright: February 25, 2015

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From the journal Multilingua Volume 35 Issue 3

Abstract

This article examines the current situation of regional language bilingual primary education in Alsace and contends that the regional language presents a special case in the context of France. The language comprises two varieties: Alsatian, which traditionally has been widely spoken, and Standard German, used as the language of reference and writing. The advantages of learning Standard German have been highlighted by language-in-education policy-makers: as well as being the written form of the regional language, German is promoted as the most widely spoken language in the European Union, the language of neighbouring countries, an asset in the search for employment and an aid to learning another powerful language in our increasingly globalized world, namely English. Nevertheless, Alsatian can be, and in some cases is being, employed in the classroom, although it remains in a minority position in comparison to Standard German. Based on original research undertaken in the region, the article aims to explore current classroom practices, which are sometimes found to be incongruous with official language-in-education policy. It analyses the language attitudes of parents and considers the effect of these attitudes on the promotion of Alsatian and Standard German. Practices and attitudes in city and small town locations are compared to evaluate the influence of urban and peri-urban settings. As the transmission of Alsatian is no longer guaranteed in the home, the article investigates whether the school can promote this traditional, non-standardized regional variety alongside the dominant standard languages, and whether parents wish for this to happen.

Keywords: bilingual education; language-in-education policy; language attitudes; regional languages; Alsace

Appendix: Questionnaire for the parents of children attending a bilingual school (translated from French)

Please indicate your sex: M/F

What region do you originate from?
What is (are) your first language(s)?
Do you have other children that are following/have followed a bilingual education programme?
Why have you chosen a bilingual education programme for your child (children)? (Please underline)
To learn Standard German, an important foreign language/
To learn Standard German, a neighbour language/
To learn Standard and dialectal German, a regional language
Is the school’s language policy clearly explained to parents?
In your opinion, should Alsatian have a role at school?
Would you be pleased if your child (children) had the opportunity to hear/speak Alsatian in class?
Do you go to German-speaking countries with your child (children)? (Please underline)
Very often/often/from time to time/rarely/never
Outside of school, does your child (do your children) have the opportunity to hear/speak Alsatian (please underline)
At home very often/often/from time to time/rarely/never
With their grandparents very often/often/from time to time/rarely/never
With other members of the family very often/often/from time to time/rarely/never
With neighbours very often/often/from time to time/rarely/never
In town very often/often/from time to time/rarely/never
In your opinion, is Alsatian still important for the regional culture?
In your opinion, can one feel Alsatian without speaking Alsatian?
In the future, will you choose a bilingual secondary school for your children?

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Published Online: 2015-2-25

Published in Print: 2016-5-1

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https://doi.org/10.1515/multi-2014-0046

Keywords for this article

bilingual education; language-in-education policy; language attitudes; regional languages; Alsace