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Programme: accepted abstracts

Abstract ID: 946

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

The implementation of spelling norms in Luxembourgish

Authors: Gilles, Peter
Submitted by: Gilles, Peter (University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg)

The paper will explore several standardization paths in the recent development of writing Luxembourgish. The Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg's language situation is characterized by an intricate trilingual setting involving French, German and Luxembourgish. While Luxembourgish serves as a mainly spoken language for nearly all communicative domains, French and German are used as written languages. In addition, French has the role of a lingua franca, particularly at the workplace and among and with the approximately 40 % of foreign residents. As the local language, Luxembourgish is strongly linked to the construction of a national identity. Although a small language, Luxembourgish has seen considerable standardization in the 20th century, particularly in relation to its spelling system (Gilles/Moulin 2003). Strangely enough, the educational system provides virtually no formal training in Luxembourgish. In fact, it is largely excluded from nearly all formal contexts in the school system.      
Nevertheless, writing Luxembourgish is gaining more and more ground, particularly in new domains such as the digital media (e.g. text messages, chat, emails, home pages, social networks etc.). This paper concentrates on writing domains and spelling norms in relation to Luxembourgish, historically and in the present day. Two lines of analysis will be followed:
1. Language ideologies: Which ideologies and which rationales were active in the various conceptions and reformulations of orthographic norms (in 1912, 1946, 1975/199 and today's spelling reform commission since 2009). These different conceptions over time mirror the sociolinguistic status of Luxembourgish in the multilingual situation and its relationship to the crucial contact languages French and German.
2. How do orthographic norms enter actual language use when their transmission and acquisition through the education system is effectively poor? More and more writers try to follow the official spelling rules by attending spelling courses and using spell-checking software. An increase of correct spelling on influential internet portals (e.g. the media website www.rtl.lu) offer 'model texts' to more and more readers.

Bibliography
Gilles, P., & Moulin, C. (2003). Luxembourgish. In A. Deumert & W. Vandenbussche (Eds.), Germanic Standardizations. Past to Present, Impact (pp. 303-329). Amsterdam - Philadelphia: Benjamins.