donderdag 21 januari 2010

Language Diversity in Urban Landscapes: An Econometric Study


From the website of the EUKN

http://www.eukn.org/binaries/eukn/netherlands/research/2009/07/language-diversity-in-urban-landscapes---an-econometric-study.pdf

The study of the languages used in signs can contribute to the study of linguistic diversity. It can reflect the different strengths of the languages and the relative integration of their speakers. The languages of signs are also related to identity and to language policy. The effects of multilingualism, in fact, have recently come to the forefront of public policy debates. Political reality shows that linguistic issues and, in particular, the treatment of minority languages are almost unparalleled in terms of their explosiveness and emotional appeal, much more than any other question of resource allocation or responsibility sharing within a polity. In fact, multilingualism or linguistic diversity in a heterogeneous society provide extraordinary challenges and room for policies which may have important economic implications in shaping the flows of interregional or international trade, investment and migrations. Multilingualism or linguistic diversity in a society is an important phenomenon that can generate gains or losses resulting from the economic interactions between individuals, regions or countries. This paper will focus on the study of linguistic diversity in the linguistic landscape from an interdisciplinary perspective: sociolinguistic and economic.

The European Urban Knowledge Network facilitates the exchange of demand-driven knowledge and experience on urban issues. EUKN supports policy makers and practitioners across Europe in developing effective urban policy and to promote the vitality of Europe’s towns and cities. 17 EU Member States, EUROCITIES, the URBACT Programme and the European Commission participate in EUKN.