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Programme: accepted abstracts

Abstract ID: 1383

Part of Session 104: Microlinguistics and language planning (Other abstracts in this session)

Policy and Perception: The interaction and impact of macro and micro level linguistic policy in Occitan France

Authors: Diver, Laura Carmel
Submitted by: Diver, Laura Carmel (Trinity College Dublin, Ireland)

France’s strict linguistic policy, implemented and built upon over several centuries, is based upon the ideology of national unification through language. This has led to the current situation where French is the dominant and sole official language of the State. Legislation is in place to ensure that this linguistic dominance is maintained and to promote the use of the French language in every aspect of daily life. While the aim of this policy has always been, and continues to be, national unity and the protection of French from external linguistic influence, the regional languages of France have suffered significant decline as a result of macro level policy.  In light of this decline, and in some cases endangerment, a number of regional authorities have developed micro level linguistic policies in favour of the promotion and protection of the regional languages found within their borders.

Taking Occitan, a French regional language, as the case study, this paper examines the interaction between the macro and micro level language policies in France. The linguistic policies of the State and of two neighbouring Occitan-speaking regions, namely those of Midi-Pyrénées and Languedoc-Roussillon, are analyzed with a view to assessing how linguistic policies at both national and regional level influence one another and, in particular, how regional authorities at micro level are working within existing macro level legislation to produce effective policies in favour of the Occitan language and its revitalization.

Data gathered from Occitan speakers in the cities of Montpellier and Toulouse, using mixed method (qualitative-quantitative) questionnaires and focus group interviews, will be presented in order to illustrate how speakers of the language perceive linguistic policies at both levels (national and regional) and what impact, if any, they feel that such policies have upon Occitan’s endangerment and revitalization.  

In addition, this paper will discuss how regional level policies, conversely, may influence those at national level. The example of Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone, a village close to Montpellier in Languedoc-Roussillon, will be used to illustrate how the promotion of Occitan at local level, implemented in a small town, may influence policy at the highest level, leading the French Senate to draft and pass legislation allowing for the use of bilingual (French-regional language) road signs.

Drawing on the theoretical frameworks of Spolsky (2004) and Shohamy (2006), this paper will show how the interaction of macro and micro level policies and their perception may not only display reciprocal influence, but also the role which they play in both the endangerment and revitalization of the Occitan language.

Bibliography:

Shohamy, E. (2006) Language Policy: Hidden agendas and new approaches. New York: Routledge 

Spolsky, B. (2004) Language Policy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press