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Programme: accepted abstracts

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Abstract ID: 732

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

The Interconnection of the Micro- and Macro-Level in the Processes of the Negotiation of Standard Variety: The Language Management Perspective

Authors: Dovalil, Vít
Submitted by: Dovalil, Vít (Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic)

This presentation deals with the problem of the interplay of the micro- and macro-level in the processes in which the norms of the German standard variety are negotiated in the German Studies M.A. programs at some Czech universities.

The interpretation of standard variety is derived from two sources. On the one hand, it is inspired by Ulrich Ammon's model of four social forces that determine what is standard in a language: norm authorities, codifiers, model texts and linguists. This model is, on the other hand, integrated into the dynamic approach of language management describing several phases in which behavior toward language is conducted (i. e. language management in Neustupný/Jernudd and Nekvapil/Sherman). If a deviation from the norm is noted and evaluated negatively, appropriate designs may be adjusted and implemented. These phases may be conducted only at the micro-level among individual interlocutors (i.e. as a simple management), or some phases may be delegated to the macro-level of the relevant institutions (i.e. as an organized management) which are able to influence the language use at the micro-level again.
The practices of the Czech German scholars are analyzed. They represent the language norm authorities. Thus, they account for what is taught as Standard German at universities. This means, among other things, that they are expected to correct their students' language use. Language Management Theory can be used to analyze some cases of the inconsistent behavior of the Czech scholars toward their students' German. The data are collected from essays and tests corrected by the scholars and from follow-up interviews recorded with them afterwards.

The results of the empirical part of the research demonstrate that there are some problematic variants that are not noted by the scholars. Others are noted but not evaluated, still others are noted and evaluated negatively, but not adjusted according to the codified norms. In such cases, the Czech German scholars may contribute to specific features of what is presented as Standard German in the Czech universities where German Studies is an accredited major.

References:

Ammon, Ulrich (2003): On the Social Forces that Determine what is Standard in a Language and on Conditions of Successful Implementation. In: Ammon, Ulrich/Mattheier, Klaus J./Nelde, Peter H. (eds.): Sociolinguistica 17 (Language Standards). Tübingen: Niemeyer, 1-10.

Jernudd, Björn H./Neustupný, Jiří V. (1987): Language Planning: For Whom? In: Laforge, L. (Ed.): Proceedings of the International Colloquium on Language Planning. Québec: Presses de l´Université Laval, 69-84.

 Nekvapil, Jiří/Sherman, Tamah (eds.)(2009): Language Management in Contact Situations. Perspectives from Three Continents. Frankfurt/Main: Peter Lang.