Language Preservation and Revitalisation Strategies. The Case of the Norman Language in France
Magdalena Chowaniec
University of Silesia in KatowiceAbstract
One of the most fundamental issues in sociolinguistics today is the growing number of moribund languages that need urgent attention regarding their revitalisation. While there are many language communities that have succeeded in implementing effective language planning strategies, there are still languages that are severely endangered and in need of further support. The present paper examines the current situation of the Norman language. Norman is a severely endangered language. For the last four years, Norman authorities have been implementing various initiatives involving promotion and documentation of the language. The results of the surveys conducted for the purpose of writing this paper allow conclusions to be formed, regarding the attitudes and commitment shared in the Norman-speaking community.Keywords:
language revitalisation, language vitality, endangered languages, Norman, language attitudesReferences
Blanchet P., Conan C.S., 2019, Je n’ai plus osé ouvrir la bouche – témoignages de glottophobie vécue et moyens de se défendre, “Questions de communication” II, pp. 371–373.
Brasseur P., 1980, Atlas linguistique et ethnographique Normand, Editions Du Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique EBooks.
Brasseur P., 1980a, Aspects de la conscience linguistique en Normandie, in: Sociolinguistique: Approches, Théories, Pratiques, Publications de l’Université de Rouen, pp. 167–179.
Boissel P., 1986, “Marcel, marchiez trachi la pouque dans le bigar” ou aspects de la conscience linguistique dans le Bessin en 1984, “Annales De Normandie” 36/1, pp. 57–73.
Brasseur P., 1990, Le parler normand: mots et expressions du terroir, Rivages
Chromik B., 2016, Integral Strategies for Language Revitalisation: From Wilamowice to the Philosophy of Science and Back Again: Three Levels of Linguistic Ideologies, in: Integral Strategies for Language Revitalization, eds. J.Olko, T. Wicherkiewicz, R. Borges, Warsaw, pp. 91–110.
Coluzzi P., 2021, Endangered Languages and Diaspora: Special Theme: The State and Study of Arbëresh as an Endangered Diaspora Language, in: Is Reversing Language Shift a Hopeless Endeavour? How Language Ideologies and Myths are Affecting Minority and Regional Languages in Italy, ed. E. Derhemi.
Dołowy-Rybińska N., 2022. Néo-bretonnants – konstruowanie tożsamości językowej przez młode pokolenie osób bretońskojęzycznych, ”Sprawy Narodowościowe” 41, pp. 119–136.
Drude S., Intangible Cultural Heritage Unit’s Ad Hoc Expert Group, 2003, Language vitality and endangerment, UNESCO.
Grenoble L.A., Whaley L.J., 2006, Saving Languages: An Introduction to Language Revitalization, Cambridge.
Grenoble L., Whaley L., 2020, Toward a New Conceptualisation of Language Revitalisation, “Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development” 42(10), pp. 911–926.
Hentschel G. Fekete I., Tambor J., 2022, Das Schlesische und seine Sprecher: Etablierung in der Gesellschaft, Attitüden, Vitalität der Germanismen. Śląski lekt i jego użytkownicy: rozpowszechnienie, postawy społeczne wobec śląszczyzny, żywotność germanizmów w śląskim lekcie, Berlin.
Irvine J., 1989, When Talk Isn’t Cheap: Language and Political Economy, “American Ethnologist” 16(2), pp. 248–267.
Jigourel T., 2011, Patois et chansons de nos grands-pères en Basse Normandie, Romorantin. Editions CPE.
Jones M., 2015, Variation and Change in Mainland and Insular Norman: A Study of Superstrate Influence, Leiden.
Letondeur B., 2022, Patrimoine: la langue normande fait de la résistance, “France 3 Normandie”, https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/normandie/patrimoineen-peril-la-langue-normande-fait-de-la-resistance-2615328.html
Pine A., Turin M., 2017, Language Revitalization, Oxford.
Moseley C.M., Nicolas A.M., 2010, Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger, 3rd ed., UNESCO Publishing.
