ELAP Workshop: Beliefs and Ideology

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Topic

The goal of the workshop is to highlight and discuss theoretical and practical issues in the area of beliefs and ideology on endangered languages, and especially views that have implications for language support and revitalisation. Language ideologies have been described as 'socioculturally motivated ideas, perceptions and expectations of language, manifested in all sorts of language use' Blommaert (1999:1). Blommaert goes on to suggest that 'there is now a widespread recognition of language ideologies as a crucial topic of debate . when it comes to assessing the motives and causes for certain types of language change'. The study of language ideologies and beliefs may therefore provide insights into the reasons for language shift and/or revival, and may help to determine the success or otherwise of language revitalisation projects. Among the issues to be considered could be:

1. Are endangered languages fundamentally different from other languages when it comes to beliefs and ideology?

2. What, if any, are the consequences for language support and revitalisation of the beliefs held by speakers of endangered languages?

3. To what extent can beliefs and ideologies be influenced by campaigning and language planning?

4. What beliefs and ideologies do linguists have about endangered languages? Are these in conflict with those of communities?

5. Fishman speaks of the need for "establishing ideological clarity" before any revitalisation project can begin. How is this best achieved?