Identity, insecurity and image : France and language

Author(s)

• Ager, D. E.

Bibliographic Information

Identity, insecurity and image : France and language

Dennis Ager

（Multilingual matters / series editor, Derrick Sharp, 112）

Multilingual Matters, c1999

• : hbk.
• : pbk.

Note

Includes bibliographical references (p. [242]-248) and index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

This book is about the relationship between language and the society that uses it. It specifically aims to discover what drives the French to concentrate so much on language, on what characterises their approach, and on the explanations for the policies governments pursue. It concludes that three motives have been and are important: insecurity, identity and image creation. Insecurity - the fear of a possible break-up of the French state from attacks on it - has coloured policy for the regional languages, the fight against Franglais, and policy, often not openly stated, towards certain social categories - the young, women, immigrants, the poor. The desire to affirm French identity and uniqueness is at the origin of policies to reinforce the status of the French language in the public domain. The zeal of the state in spreading French abroad, and a more recent discovery of the importance of language diversity in the world, can be traced to a mixture of altruism and imperialism: a desire to benefit mankind tempered with an intention to ensure the maintenance of France's world role.

Table of Contents

Figures Tables and Maps Acknowledgements Preface Introduction Part I Insecurity 1 Territorial Insecurity: Fear of the Regional Languages 2 Fear Mixed with Pride: The Myth of the Hexagon 3 Social Insecurity: Fear of the Social Outsider 4 Fear Mixed with Guilt: The Myth of Inclusion 5 Cultural Insecurity: Americanophobia Part II Identity 6 Identity and the Status of French: The Language of the Republic 7 Managing French to Serve the State: Stability, Elasticity and Polyvalency Part III Image 8 Gaining Influence and Prestige: Francophonie, Cultural Relations and French Abroad 9 Multilingualism: A Policy for Openness and Diversity? Conclusion Notes References Index

by "Nielsen BookData"

Details

• NCID: BA41861990
• ISBN:
  • 1853594431
  • 1853594423
• LCCN: 98031849
• Country Code: uk
• Title Language Code: eng
• Text Language Code: eng
• Place of Publication: Clevedon, England
• Pages/Volumes: x, 253 p.
• Size: 21 cm
• Classification:
  • LCC : DC33.7
  • DC21 : 306.44/944
• Subject Headings:
  • LCSH : France -- Civilization -- 20th century
  • LCSH : Language policy -- France
  • LCSH : Language and culture -- France
  • LCSH : Civilization, Modern -- French influences
  • LCSH : French language -- Political aspects -- Foreign countries
  • LCSH : Symbolism
• Parent Bibliography ID:
  • BA0388721X