A review of Miki Makihara's article, "Linguistic Syncretism and Language Ideologies: Transforming Sociolinguistic Hierarchy on Rapa Nui (Easter Island)."
Abstract This paper discusses Miki Makihara's in-depth case study of the way in which diglossia has operated with respect to the Rapa Nui language on Easter Island. It discusses the content of the article, "Linguistic Syncretism and Language Ideologies: Transforming Sociolinguistic Hierarchy on Rapa Nui (Easter Island)" and its importance. The paper then compares Makihara's article alongside Charles Ferguson's original article on diglossia, "Sociolinguistic Perspectives: Papers on Language in Society."
From the Paper "Makihara's article is, of course, very interesting alongside Charles Ferguson's original article on diglossia (Ferguson, 1996). In particular, Makihara's expansion on Ferguson's conceptualization of diglossia is instructive. Ferguson's concept showed how one language can co-exist with another in situations where, typically, one is resigned to being a more casual, personal and devalued one, while another is typically valued as being more beautiful, spiritual, intellectual etc. Although Ferguson showed that this situation does not necessarily result in the prior or devalued language facing extinction, Makihara shows how two languages can be diglossic together in one syncretic language, used across contexts, functions and speakers and can actually, and most importantly, serve to uphold and preserve the original language against the odds."
The following paper examines the theories of bilingualism and multilingalism, language acquisition and language learning, making reference to a number of case studies.
Abstract The following paper examines the theories on language acquisition and looks at the useful distinction between acquisition and learning. The writer also comments on approaches and methods to teaching second and foreign languages. Lastly the writer comments on interference as a factor in language learning.
Table of Contents
Bilingualism and Multilingualism
Diglossia First Language Acquisition
Using a text-mapping device to depict the important stages in first-language acquisition
Theories on how language is acquired
Innateness
Cognition
Input
Approaches and methods to teaching second and foreign languages
Interference as a factor in language learning.
From the Paper "Diglossia is the coexistence of two forms of the same language in speech community. The one form will often be the literary or prestige dialect, and the other one can be a dialect commonly spoken by most of the population. The term diglossia could also be used to indicate bilingualism, or the speaking of two languages by the people of the same community. An example for the first definition is the use of Dutch in Belgium. Dutch is one of the official languages in Belgium. Dutch-speaking Belgians are called the "Flemish" where the French-speaking Belgians are called "Walloons". Dutch spoken by Belgians is also referred to as "Flemish", which is not a literary form of the language, but a spoken "dialect". They are different varieties of the same language."
Abstract This paper discusses the pros and cons of bilingualism focusing on the homogenizing of the world's languages and the struggle to keep some languages and cultures alive. It mentions the effects of colonial powers, the necessities of learning other languages for trade purposes and the reluctance of younger members of minority groups to learn their original tongue. Contains information such as the top nine countries language wise contain 3,300 languages. The paper also discusses the gradual process of change in a language.
From the paper:
?Bilingualism is a reality today and it will become a greater reality as time goes. The extent to which it is prevalent is evidenced by the presence of bilinguals in every country today, as well as in every social class and every age group. International travel, communication and the mass media, emigration and planetary economics have created a so-called global village whereby inhabitants speak more than their own native language."
From the Paper " CODE ALTERNATION IN ENGLISH ACROSS CULTURES
As in most new fields of research, labels can be disconcerting and confusing, because they change as new theories see the light, even when such theories are neither new nor bearers of significant modifications. So it is with code alternation, variations of which can be found in code switching, code mixing, code-shifting, code-choice, code-swaying, situational switching, and language switching--all subjects to refinements such as intersentential, intrasentential, diatopic, and diastratal code-switching. "According to estimations, about half of the earth's population speaks at least two languages... The alternating use of more than one language is one of the most striking features of many interactions in bilingual communities" (Auer, 1984:1). Most code-switching research has thus been.."
Abstract Korea is a country with a long and proud history in which language plays a particularly important and interesting role. This paper discusses language policy in the Republic of Korea through an investigation of Korean history, society, culture and economy; factors which have had a major impact on official policy, as well as societal attitudes towards language.
Outline
An Introduction to Korea
Chinese
Japanese
English
Conclusion
From the Paper "Culturally Korea is very different from countries in the west. The journalist, author, and long time resident of Korea Michael Breen, in his book "The Koreans," writes, "This is not a culture in which diversity is seen as a value or an ideal. Koreans see virtue in unity: one mind, one people, one system, one race, one path (1998:68)."
Korea is considered to be the nation most influenced by Confucian philosophy, being even more orthodox in its implementation than China, from where Confucius originated. Therefore, elders are held in very high regard, as are people in authority, and of high social standing."
Tags: bilingualism, culture, diglossia, efl, esl, japanese, chinese
