National Identity, Multiculturalism, and Language Policies

Abstract

Thomas Ricento (2006) noted individuals speaking one language only do not appreciate the complexity of other languages and the way they influence one 's perception of cultural pluralism: Language is something most of us take for granted most of the time; it is usually when we discover that our language (or language variety) is different from, and perhaps less valued than, the language of others, or that our options are somehow limited either because we don't speak/understand a language or language variety … that we begin to pay attention to language. (p. 21) Taking language for granted is, of course, easiest for those who speak a language of power and influence such as English, or for those living in relative isolation. However, in a globalized world, isolation is decreasing. Issues of language are incredibly sensitive given their connection to personal and national/ethnic identity. Recently researchers in the area (Skutnabb-Kangas & Phillipson, 1994; Zajda, 2005 a,b; May, 2006; Ozdowski, S. 2006; Smolicz, Nical, & Secombe, 2007; Makropoulos, 2007) have argued passionately for language rights. For example, May (2006) has observed that the Linguistic Human Rights (LHR) paradigm argues that minority languages and their speakers should be accorded at least some of the protections and institutional support that majority languages already enjoy (p. 265).