John E. Petrovic - Böcker

This volume seeks to add to our understanding of how language is constructed in late capitalist societies. Exploring the conceptual and theoretical underpinnings of the so-called "commodification of language" and its relationship to the notion of linguistic capital, the authors examine recent research that offers implications for language policy and planning. Bringing together an international group of scholars, this collection includes chapters that address whether or not language can rightly be referred to as a commodity and, if so, under what circumstances. The different theoretical foundations of understanding language as a resource with exchange value – whether as commodity or capital – have practical implications for policy writ large. The implications of the "commodification of language" in more empirical terms are explored, both in terms of how it affects language as well as language policy at more micro levels. This includes more specific policy arenas such as language in education policy or family language policies as well as the implications for individual identity construction and linguistic communities. With a conclusion written by leading scholar David Block, this is key reading for researchers and advanced students of critical sociolinguistics, language and economy, language and politics, language policy and linguistic anthropology within linguistics, applied linguistics, and language teacher education.

This volume seeks to add to our understanding of how language is constructed in late capitalist societies. Exploring the conceptual and theoretical underpinnings of the so-called "commodification of language" and its relationship to the notion of linguistic capital, the authors examine recent research that offers implications for language policy and planning. Bringing together an international group of scholars, this collection includes chapters that address whether or not language can rightly be referred to as a commodity and, if so, under what circumstances. The different theoretical foundations of understanding language as a resource with exchange value – whether as commodity or capital – have practical implications for policy writ large. The implications of the "commodification of language" in more empirical terms are explored, both in terms of how it affects language as well as language policy at more micro levels. This includes more specific policy arenas such as language in education policy or family language policies as well as the implications for individual identity construction and linguistic communities. With a conclusion written by leading scholar David Block, this is key reading for researchers and advanced students of critical sociolinguistics, language and economy, language and politics, language policy and linguistic anthropology within linguistics, applied linguistics, and language teacher education.

Though conservatives and criticalists perhaps espouse different values and social assumptions as rationale for reforming schools, they both seek to "fix" schools. Unschooling Critical Pedagogy, Unfixing Schools argues that in this move to fix, they both either deny or misread the material dimension of schooling, thereby unnecessarily limiting possibilities for human flourishing within educational environments. In order to unfix schools, making them dynamic and critical places of engagement, educators must review and revive their critical roots through Marx to overcome the educational necrophilia that has simply overwhelmed schools through the material conditions both within and without. Critical pedagogy is insufficient for such a project, with some iterations of it becoming errors of commission. Moving from Marx to Althusser to Illich, Unschooling Critical Pedagogy, Unfixing Schools concludes with a recommendation for unschooling in schools which requires getting students out of schools as much as possible.

Though conservatives and criticalists perhaps espouse different values and social assumptions as rationale for reforming schools, they both seek to "fix" schools. Unschooling Critical Pedagogy, Unfixing Schools argues that in this move to fix, they both either deny or misread the material dimension of schooling, thereby unnecessarily limiting possibilities for human flourishing within educational environments. In order to unfix schools, making them dynamic and critical places of engagement, educators must review and revive their critical roots through Marx to overcome the educational necrophilia that has simply overwhelmed schools through the material conditions both within and without. Critical pedagogy is insufficient for such a project, with some iterations of it becoming errors of commission. Moving from Marx to Althusser to Illich, Unschooling Critical Pedagogy, Unfixing Schools concludes with a recommendation for unschooling in schools which requires getting students out of schools as much as possible.

This book is a defense of linguistic pluralism and language policies and practices in education that sustain that ideal. Educational meanings and models are influenced by different populations and different social and historical contexts. International comparisons can shed interesting light on the issues. Therefore, the purpose of the book is to provide scholars an international comparative understanding of language policy, its relation to educational practice, and current debates within the field. The book is divided into three sections dealing with the general topical areas of policy, practice, and controversy.This book will be of interest to policy-makers, scholars, and graduate students in the areas of bilingual education, language policy, and sociolinguistics.

This book is a defense of linguistic pluralism and language policies and practices in education that sustain that ideal. Educational meanings and models are influenced by different populations and different social and historical contexts. International comparisons can shed interesting light on the issues. Therefore, the purpose of the book is to provide scholars an international comparative understanding of language policy, its relation to educational practice, and current debates within the field. The book is divided into three sections dealing with the general topical areas of policy, practice, and controversy.This book will be of interest to policy-makers, scholars, and graduate students in the areas of bilingual education, language policy, and sociolinguistics.

This provocative defense of language diversity works through the strengths and weaknesses of liberal political theory to inform language policy. The book presents the argument that policy must occupy the space between 'linguistics of community' and 'linguistics of contact' in a way that balances individual autonomy and group recognition while not reifying 'language'. Drawing on the importance of the language/identity link, the author distinguishes between language negative liberalism and language positive liberalism, arguing against the former. This distinction orients consideration of increasingly specific language policy issues, such as official languages, language rights, bilingual education, and uses of language varieties within classrooms.