Multilingualism in Europe: A Case Study (Series Multiple Europes, No. 18.)

Keane, Robert N

ISBN 10: 0820446955 / ISBN 13: 9780820446950

Published by Peter Lang Pub Inc, 2003

About this Item

Unread. No markings in book. This study assesses language use in a multilingual trans-European speech community. It examines language learning at school, univeristy and elsewhere, languages spoken at home and in the workplace, and speakers' attitudes towards language learning and future linguistic solutions in Europe.

Seller Inventory # 0016767

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Multilingualism in Europe: A Case Study (Series Multiple Europes, No. 18.)
• Publisher: Peter Lang Pub Inc
• Publication Date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0820446955
• ISBN 13: 9780820446950
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: Fine

About this title

Synopsis

Bruxelles, Bern, Berlin, Frankfurt/M., New York, Oxford, Wien. The important question of how to bring the European Union closer to its citizens is bound up with the issue of how individuals, groups and nation states express and assert identity, with one of the fundamental challenges how to approach and deal with multilingual communication. This study assesses language use in a multilingual trans-European speech community. It examines language learning at school, university and elsewhere, languages spoken at home and in the workplace, and speakers' attitudes towards language learning and future linguistic solutions in Europe. The speech community selected for the case study are graduates of the College of Europe, a postgraduate institution of European Studies. Amongst other questions, this publication asks why these particular speakers are multilingual, and whether a two-tier Europe is developing in terms of foreign language skills. Using the case study as a point of departure for further discussion, the author explores how a balance may be achieved between managing effective communication between speakers, whilst maintaining the right of the individuals to use their own mother tongue. Contents: Sociolinguistics - Foreign language learning - Language use and choice - Language attitudes.

About the Author

The Author: Robert N. Keane is Professor of English at Hofstra University, where he has taught since 1959. He received his Ph.D. in English from Columbia University. In addition to numerous articles in professional journals and essay collections, he co-edited a collection of essays titled Rereading Byron and is working on another on Oscar Wilde.

Lorna Carson is Assistant Professor in Applied Linguistics and Director of the Trinity Centre for Asian Studies at Trinity College Dublin. Her teaching and research focuses on multilingualism with a particular emphasis on understanding the language classroom. She is President of the Irish Association for Applied Linguistics (IRAAL).

Bo Strath is Professor of Contemporary History, at the European University Institute, Florence.