Logo image
Back
Evaluative reactions to minority languages and their varieties: Evidence from new speakers of West Frisian
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Evaluative reactions to minority languages and their varieties: Evidence from new speakers of West Frisian

Ruth Kircher, Ethan Kutlu and Mirjam Vellinga
Language in society, Vol.54(2), pp.237-263
10/05/2023
DOI: 10.1017/S0047404523000805
url
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0047404523000805View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Abstract Little is known about the connection between individuals’ evaluative reactions to (i) minority languages as such, and (ii) specific varieties of these minority languages. This study investigates such evaluative reactions amongst new speakers of Frisian in the Netherlands (n = 264). A questionnaire was used to elicit participants’ attitudes towards the Frisian language and their evaluations of the specific variety of Frisian they were taught. The results reveal a significant correlation between participants’ status-related attitudes towards Frisian and their anonymity-related evaluations of the variety they were taught—as well as between participants’ solidarity-related attitudes towards Frisian and their authenticity-related evaluations of the variety they were taught. The former are close to neutral; the latter are mildly positive. The article discusses how these results not only advance our general understanding of language in society, but also facilitate the development of more comprehensive science communication to inform revitalisation strategies in minority contexts. (Language attitudes, language ideologies, minority languages, language planning, language revitalisation, language transmission, new speakers)*

Details

Metrics

53 Record Views
1 Times Cited - Web of Science
Logo image