Bernard Spolsky is a distinguished scholar in applied linguistics, focusing his work on second language acquisition and language policy. His research delves deeply into the conditions that facilitate foreign language learning, examining the sociolinguistic dimensions of language development. Spolsky's investigations contribute to a richer understanding of how individuals and societies engage with language. His publications, under esteemed university presses, offer valuable insights for linguists and educators alike.
Sociolinguistics is the study of the different ways in which different groups of people use language. This book provides a brief but comprehensive introduction to the field, making links with related disciplines such as history, politics, and gender studies.
Over the last 50 years, language policy has developed into a major discipline, drawing on research and practice in many nations and at many levels. This is the first Handbook to deal with language policy as a whole and is a complete 'state-of-the-field' survey, covering language practices, beliefs about language varieties, and methods and agencies for language management. It provides a historical background which traces the development of classical language planning, describes activities associated with indigenous and endangered languages, and contains chapters on imperialism, colonialism, effects of migration and globalization, and educational policy. It also evaluates language management agencies, analyzes language activism and looks at language cultivation (including reform of writing systems, orthography and modernized terminology). The definitive guide to the subject, it will be welcomed by students, researchers and language professionals in linguistics, education and politics.