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Programme: accepted abstracts

Abstract ID: 210

Part of Session 130: Language in Multilingual Cities (Other abstracts in this session)

Language policies, minority language revitalisation and the city: the cases of Nice and Ajaccio

Authors: Blackwood, Robert
Submitted by: Blackwood, Robert (University of Liverpool, United Kingdom)

Although characterised as a highly centralised polity which manages language policies from Paris, France provides an interesting forum for the evaluation of language revitalisation, since national legislation permits city councils to pursue their own language management strategies so long as the supremacy of the French language is not challenged. Based on fieldwork from Ajaccio (gathered in August 2010) and Nice (July 2011), we will examine closely variation in language policy within two port cities, each identified with a minority language. Using the linguistic landscape, and as part of a longer project into regional languages in the public space in the Mediterranean, we will investigate the different policies enacted by the two city councils, both of which are engaged in language revitalisation efforts, but to strikingly different extents. Taking Kallen’s 2010 ‘spatial frameworks’ model, we will analyse the degrees to which these city councils are placing their respective regional languages in the public space as part of revitalisation work which, critically, extends beyond what has become the recent tradition of teaching the regional languages in schools for a few hours per week. By comparing the visibility of Nissart and Corsican in transport networks, local services, and public buildings, we can evaluate the extent to which the city is being used by Ajaccio City Council as a space for language revitalisation in a way not mirrored by Nice City Council.