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- Volume 46, Issue 2, 2022
Language Problems and Language Planning - Volume 46, Issue 2, 2022
Volume 46, Issue 2, 2022
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At the intersection of language, conflict, and security
Author(s): Roberta Medda-Windischer and Andrea Carlàpp.: 113–130 (18)More LessAbstractWhile conflicts involving language are always intertwined with other issues such as ethnic and racial identity, religion, and democratic participation, the importance of the linguistic dimension is often underestimated, along with the difficulties of achieving effective, just and sustainable solutions through language legislation and policy. Language policies have political and social consequences; they can reinforce or diffuse conflicts and social unrest between language groups, they can accelerate language loss or facilitate language revitalization, and they can be instruments of inclusion or exclusion affecting the stability and security of the society. Against this background, this Special Issue aims to shed light on how language diversity impacts conflict and security. In particular, the SI will look at how issues revolving around language diversity interplay with security concerns and which dynamics trigger processes of securitization of language issues. How to balance language diversity to prevent conflict and promote security of linguistic majorities and minorities? How to reconcile the demands for linguistic diversity and political stability and unity? What is the role of international organizations in these processes? And how can the risk of the essentialization of linguistic communities and minority cultures leading to the division of societies into us-versus-them antagonisms thereby be overcome?
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Language conflicts and securitization in multilingual societies
Author(s): Peter Haslingerpp.: 131–145 (15)More LessAbstractSocietal multilingualism is an essential aspect of political communication. This applies in particular to the management of security issues and language conflicts in multilingual states. As this article demonstrates, these processes of securitization set in much earlier than just in situations of open conflict. They can lead to a spiral of competitive securitization. It is therefore surprising that so far hardly any theoretical considerations have been made to explore the intersection between conflict dynamics, securitization processes and multilingualism. This article therefore examines this theoretical gap and identifies questions and requirements for future theoretical work. The aim is to open new avenues for studying multilingualism through the prism of securitization and conflict theory.
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The legal status of languages / ‘languages’ that emerged from Serbo-Croatian
Author(s): Ljubica Djordjevićpp.: 146–170 (25)More LessAbstractWith the break-up of Yugoslavia, and following the ideology of nationalism and the aspired match between state, nation, and language, Serbo-Croatian fragmented into four languages: Bosnian, Croatian, Montenegrin, and Serbian. The paper deals with the legal aspects of the fragmentation of Serbo-Croatian in the four countries concerned, exploring the impacts of provisions relating to the official language on the status of the languages in question and their speakers. The central argument is that by fully ignoring mutual intelligibility (or even the same linguistic foundation) between the four languages, the legal provisions are inadequate to deal with this specific linguistic situation; in essence, they are intolerant and exclusive (thus underpinning ethnic divisions in the region), and they also lead to some trivial situations such as ‘translation’ in official communications. The paper pleads for a more sophisticated approach, which while acknowledging the symbolic aspects of language and existing ethnic diversity, at the same time is able to accommodate the linguistic reality.
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When language rights are not enough
Author(s): Philip McDermott and Mairéad Nic Craithpp.: 171–191 (21)More LessAbstractThis article posits a new framework in relation to language rights in post-conflict settings, giving a key position to dialogue, which we see as a multidimensional process central in most reconciliation processes. Yet this notion is seldom utilised with regard to language rights, and subsequently in language policies. Instead, powerful stakeholders such as governments or transnational organisations often consider the introduction of language rights as ‘enough’ to resolve language disputes. We discuss the impact of this in a variety of settings, arguing that a static interpretation of language rights, such as in the text of a peace agreement or a constitution, is not sufficient. The application of language rights without follow-on dialogue can antagonise rather than reconcile the very disputes they claim to settle. We argue that a more fluid consideration is required that captures the complex and changing dynamics of linguistic identities in the volatile context of a peace process. A neglected aspect in the debate on language rights in post-conflict settings is the way dialogue can, over time, alter the relationship language communities have with their own language and potentially with the language of their ‘other’. We draw on international examples that indicate dialogue should be a central consideration in post-conflict settings at all levels, from transnational organisations to governments’ national policies, and finally to grassroots initiatives within and across communities.
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Language policies as a conflict prevention tool
Author(s): Alessandro Rotta and Slava Balanpp.: 192–224 (33)More LessAbstractThis article outlines the approach of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities to matters related to the use of language, assessing its consistency. Language is a major identity marker and as such can become a contentious issue in multi-ethnic societies. Questions revolving around the use of language can catalyse fights around distribution of power within States. They can also become a source of conflict and tensions between States, requiring the attention of international organizations such as the OSCE. Conversely, sound language policies can be instrumental in defusing tensions and strengthen the cohesion of diverse societies. Since its inception thirty years ago, the HCNM has devised a framework for developing balanced language policies as an instrument for conflict prevention. In the HCNM experience, the promotion and use of minority languages needs to be balanced by the adoption and promotion of one or more official languages. The article argues that the HCNM approach relies on the ‘positive’ securitization of linguistic rights, and proves that through its thematic recommendations the HCNM has embarked on a mission of addressing languages and minorities through inclusion and integration, as an approach to build a win-win model of global and regional security.
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Review of Ulasiuk, Hadîrcă & Romans (2018): Language Policy and Conflict Prevention
Author(s): Mattia Zebapp.: 225–230 (6)More LessThis article reviews Language Policy and Conflict Prevention
Volumes & issues
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Volume 48 (2024)
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Volume 47 (2023)
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Volume 46 (2022)
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Volume 45 (2021)
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Volume 44 (2020)
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Volume 43 (2019)
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Volume 42 (2018)
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Volume 41 (2017)
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Volume 40 (2016)
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Volume 39 (2015)
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Volume 38 (2014)
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Volume 37 (2013)
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Volume 36 (2012)
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Volume 35 (2011)
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Volume 34 (2010)
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Volume 33 (2009)
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Volume 32 (2008)
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Volume 31 (2007)
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Volume 30 (2006)
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Volume 29 (2005)
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Volume 28 (2004)
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Volume 27 (2003)
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Volume 26 (2002)
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Volume 25 (2001)
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Volume 24 (2000)
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Volume 23 (1999)
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Volume 22 (1998)
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Volume 21 (1997)
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Volume 20 (1996)
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Volume 19 (1995)
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Volume 18 (1994)
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Volume 17 (1993)
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Volume 16 (1992)
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Volume 15 (1991)
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Volume 14 (1990)
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Volume 13 (1989)
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Volume 12 (1988)
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Volume 11 (1987)
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Volume 10 (1986)
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Volume 9 (1985)
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Volume 8 (1984)
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Volume 7 (1983)
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Volume 6 (1982)
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Volume 5 (1981)
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Volume 4 (1980)
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Volume 3 (1979)
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Volume 2 (1978)
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Volume 1 (1977)
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