Promoting Minority Language Use to Foster Revitalisation: Insights From New Speakers of West Frisian

Ruth Kircher; Ethan Kutlu; Mirjam Vellinga

doi:10.1093/applin/amad045

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Promoting Minority Language Use to Foster Revitalisation: Insights From New Speakers of West Frisian

Journal article

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Promoting Minority Language Use to Foster Revitalisation: Insights From New Speakers of West Frisian

Ruth Kircher, Ethan Kutlu and Mirjam Vellinga

Applied linguistics, Vol.45(3), pp.514-532

06/2024

DOI: 10.1093/applin/amad045

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Abstract

Abstract Language planners are increasingly aware of the importance of new speakers (individuals acquiring a language outside the home, typically later-on in life) for the revitalisation of minority languages. Yet, little is known about new speakers’ activation (the process by which they become active and habitual minority language users). This article presents a questionnaire-based investigation of new speakers’ (n = 264) use of West Frisian in Fryslân, Netherlands—and the role traditional speakers play in new speakers’ activation. Qualitative and quantitative data show that participants use West Frisian only rarely; and when they do use it, it is mainly in the classroom. Minority language interactions outside the classroom, with traditional speakers, consist mostly of a few tokenistic words or phrases. The findings show to what extent different behaviours by traditional speakers discourage and/or encourage new speakers’ minority language use, highlighting how the complex dynamics between the speaker groups are hindering revitalisation efforts. The article discusses the implications of these findings for language planning to promote the activation of new speakers, and thereby the revitalisation of West Frisian.

Details

Title: Subtitle: Promoting Minority Language Use to Foster Revitalisation: Insights From New Speakers of West Frisian
Creators: Ruth Kircher - Fryske Akademy
Ethan Kutlu - University of Iowa
Mirjam Vellinga - Fryske Akademy
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Applied linguistics, Vol.45(3), pp.514-532
DOI: 10.1093/applin/amad045
ISSN: 0142-6001
eISSN: 1477-450X
Grant note: name: Province of Fryslân
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 09/22/2023
Date published: 06/2024
Academic Unit: Linguistics; Psychological and Brain Sciences; Center for Social Science Innovation
Record Identifier: 9984469233402771

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