Contrastive Language Policies: A Comparison of Two Multilingual Linguistic Landscapes Where Spanish Coexists with Regional Minority Languages

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Contrastive Language Policies: A Comparison of Two Multilingual Linguistic Landscapes Where Spanish Coexists with Regional Minority Languages
Language: English
Authors: Falcon Restrepo-Ramos
Source: International Journal of Multilingualism. 2024 21(2):906-931.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 26
Publication Date: 2024
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Contrastive Linguistics, Language Planning, Educational Policy, Language Maintenance, Multilingualism, Language Minorities, Creoles, Spanish, Foreign Countries
Geographic Terms: Colombia
DOI: 10.1080/14790718.2022.2098300
ISSN: 1479-0718
1747-7530
Abstract: This study compares two linguistic landscapes and the concurrent language policies of two scenarios where minority languages coexist with Spanish. On one hand, in the Archipelago of San Andres, Colombia, Spanish is in contact with an English-based Creole (Raizal Creole). Similarly, Valencian (Spain) coexists with Spanish as a national language. This work examines over 1200 pictures of public signs to reveal the extent to which these regional languages are represented in the public sphere by their main social actors in comparable domains: touristic sites and urban centres. Results showed that Raizal Creole is associated with signs authored by the community, while Spanish is the language of choice of the government and private sector. In contrast, Valencian is maintained in written signs in both settings. Despite having analogous language laws, only Valencian enjoys substantial governmental recognition. This situation sheds light on the "de facto" language policies and language maintenance in multilingual settings where Spanish is the national language.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2024
Accession Number: EJ1420057
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:This study compares two linguistic landscapes and the concurrent language policies of two scenarios where minority languages coexist with Spanish. On one hand, in the Archipelago of San Andres, Colombia, Spanish is in contact with an English-based Creole (Raizal Creole). Similarly, Valencian (Spain) coexists with Spanish as a national language. This work examines over 1200 pictures of public signs to reveal the extent to which these regional languages are represented in the public sphere by their main social actors in comparable domains: touristic sites and urban centres. Results showed that Raizal Creole is associated with signs authored by the community, while Spanish is the language of choice of the government and private sector. In contrast, Valencian is maintained in written signs in both settings. Despite having analogous language laws, only Valencian enjoys substantial governmental recognition. This situation sheds light on the "de facto" language policies and language maintenance in multilingual settings where Spanish is the national language.
ISSN:1479-0718
1747-7530
DOI:10.1080/14790718.2022.2098300