5. When School is Over and Done With: Linguistic Practices and Sociodemographic Profiles of Gaelic-medium Educated Adults

Dunmore, Stuart

doi:10.1515/9781474420662-012

Cited by 7 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…Moreover, there is a need for a wider range of language planning measures to ensure successful revitalisation. The results of our study indicated that, in Fryslân just like in other contexts (Dunmore, 2018), existing acquisition planning measures alone are not sufficient to ensure the activation of new speakers. In order to effectively foster new speakers' minority language use, we argue that prestige planning will be necessary.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 55%

“…Yet, it remains rare that the potentially pivotal role of new speakers is recognised in official language policies (see Dunmore, 2021, for exceptions). Moreover, in most contexts where planning measures regarding new speakers have been implemented, the main concern has been the promotion of minority language acquisition through the education system -with language planners hoping that this would somehow socialise new speakers into frequent language use (Dunmore, 2018). Yet, as Baker (2011: 265) notes: 'Potential does not necessarily lead to production'.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Promoting minority language use to foster revitalisation: Insights from new speakers of West Frisian

Kircher¹,

Kutlu²,

Vellinga³

2022

Preprint

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Policy makers are increasingly aware of the importance of new speakers (i.e. individuals acquiring a language outside the home, typically later-on in life) for the revitalisation of minority languages. Consequently, in many contexts, new speakers’ acquisition of the local minority language is now promoted through the education system. Yet, knowledge of a language does not automatically entail its use, and little is known about the activation of new speakers (i.e. the process by which they become active and habitual minority language users). This article presents a questionnaire-based study conducted in the Dutch province of Fryslân, which investigates new speakers’ (n=264) use of the local minority language – West Frisian – and the role that traditional speakers play in new speakers’ activation. Qualitative and quantitative data show that new speakers use West Frisian only very rarely; and when they do use it, it is mainly in the classroom. Minority language interactions outside the classroom, with traditional speakers, consist mostly of a few tokenistic words or phrases. The results highlight how the complex relationship between traditional and new speakers (in which questions of legitimacy and linguistic insecurity are highly pertinent) is hindering revitalisation efforts. The study provides nuanced insights into the dynamics of new speakers’ activation by showing to what extent different behaviours on the part of traditional speakers discourage and/or encourage new speakers’ minority language use. The article discusses the implications of these results for language policy and planning in Fryslân, and potentially also in other minority language communities.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 55%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Promoting minority language use to foster revitalisation: Insights from new speakers of West Frisian

Kircher¹,

Kutlu²,

Vellinga³

2022

Preprint

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“…This equates to just under 1% of the Scottish school student population. Dunmore (2018) comments on the overall decline of Gaelic language speakers living in Scotland in the 2011 census, but an increase amongst those speakers aged under 20 years. Therefore, there is a belief GME is working to revitalise the Gaelic language, but care must be taken in interpreting this data.…”

Section: Minority Language Revitalisation In the Scottish Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, language planning lacks the necessary links to convert the potential of language learning to the production of language speakers (Baker, 2011). Indeed, Dunmore's (2018) research warns how adults who attended GME do not necessarily use Gaelic post-schooling-limiting Gaelic language revitalisation efforts.…”

Section: Minority Language Revitalisation In the Scottish Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This article explores the value of school education in minority language revitalisation. There are calls from academics to acknowledge school education cannot act alone in reversing language shift (RLS) efforts, particularly in the Scottish Gaelic context (Baker, 2000(Baker, , 2011Dunmore, 2018;NicLeòid et al, 2020;Giollagáin et al, 2020;Smith-Christmas & Armstrong, 2014). There are…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Minority language education: Reconciling the tensions of language revitalisation and the benefits of bilingualism

Peace-Hughes

2022

Children & Society

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Research has highlighted the significance of the family and community in minority language revitalisation, whilst raising concern for efforts solely focused at the school level. This article draws upon research with children in Gaelic Medium Education, in Scotland, to explore their experiences and perceptions of their language use. The findings illustrate the dominance of English language across multiple aspects of children's lives and highlight the opportunities/threats of recent revitalisation efforts to push the bilingual benefits of language learning. The findings suggest the need for a more considered approach, such as translanguaging pedagogies, in order to effectively revitalise Gaelic language.

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Family Language Policy in the Face of a Shrinking Community Language: Gaelic on the Isle of Lewis

MacLeod

2022

Palgrave Studies in Minority Languages and Communities

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5. When School is Over and Done With: Linguistic Practices and Sociodemographic Profiles of Gaelic-medium Educated Adults

Cited by 7 publications

References 0 publications

Promoting minority language use to foster revitalisation: Insights from new speakers of West Frisian

Promoting minority language use to foster revitalisation: Insights from new speakers of West Frisian

Minority language education: Reconciling the tensions of language revitalisation and the benefits of bilingualism

Family Language Policy in the Face of a Shrinking Community Language: Gaelic on the Isle of Lewis

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