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Spatial representation and sociolinguistic synergies

  • Colin H. Williams EMAIL logo
Published/Copyright: December 8, 2022

Abstract

A closer interdisciplinary engagement by geographers, ethnographers and sociolinguists has resulted in new thematic issues being investigated and more sophisticated methodological approaches being adopted. The development of advanced IT and AI capabilities, particularly the wider adoption of Geographical Information Systems (GIS), has opened up new means of exploring and representing aspects of human behaviour. Of particular note is the appreciation by sociolinguistics of the various spatial perspectives currently being utilised in sub-disciplines such as studies of the interactions within metropolitan multilingual contexts, linguistic landscapes, new speaker research and applied language policy. This paper calls for a greater mutual reciprocity and syncretic interpretation of several key issues and promising methodologies. It also indicates how sociolinguists can contribute to significant societal debates on language policy and planning as part of social planning.

Acknowledgements

Elements of this work derive from my involvement in a project led by Prof Bernadette O’Rourke entitled ‘Minority Language Communities in Urban Spaces: Working with Glasgow City Council to enhance urban Gaelic language provision’ and funded by the University of Glasgow, Knowledge Exchange Fund, 2022.

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Published Online: 2022-12-08
Published in Print: 2022-12-16

© 2022 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

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