Introduction: defining language emancipation

Abstract

As we know, the interaction between humans is often characterized and regulated by some kind of power hierarchy or pecking order both at the individual and collective levels. Emancipatory politics means the changing of this hierarchical power structure, so that a new, democratic (or at least more democratic than before) structure emerges. According to Anthony Giddens, emancipatory policy is concerned with reducing or eliminating an illegitimate domination of some individuals or groups by others, so that justice, equality, and participation for all will become possible (Giddens 1991: 210-215). This introduction deals with emancipation in the context of language and linguistic rights. First, some definitions of language emancipation are given and discussed and examples of different kinds of emancipatory developments are described. In this introduction examples are taken primarily from the Nordic countries. Second, the importance of revalorization of a stigmatized language and culture and the impact of modernization on language emancipation are discussed. Third, some ethical issues are taken up. This introduction ends with a brief presentation of the rest of this thematic issue of the International Journal of the Sociology of Language. It comprises six case studies illustrating some of the “many faces of language emancipation”, and a coda which sums up and evaluates the case studies in the context of language emancipation at the end.

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