Academic Paper from the year 2019 in the subject Speech Science / Linguistics, grade: A, Kenyatta University, language: English, abstract: Multiple varieties of languages co-exist in a complex interrelationship where the society assigns them different tasks. In 1959, Charles Ferguson provided a comprehensive diglossicview of bilingualism by building on the various domains which are essential in macro-analysis of the functional distributions within the speech communities (Ferguson, 1959). These communities are characterized two or more languages used in intra-societal communications. Diglossia is generally defined as a situation where two different language varieties are spoken with the same speech community (Fishman et al., 1982). On the other hand, bilingual diglossia is a situation where one language variety is used in writing while another one is used in speech. Today, diglossia is one of the most important elements in the study of societal multilingualism. Based on Ferguson’s argument, diglossia can be described as a special kind of bilingualism where two co-existing linguistic codes that have different status in the society compete. Use of these language varieties relies on the circumstance (Crystal, 2010). Each the language variety must have a clearly defined role. For example, standard language mainly in formal contexts while a specific dialectal form is used in low functions such as family and social gatherings. Studies observed that the concept of diglossia can be observed in the case of language use in China. In support of this observation, the author reviewed the concepts diglossia, language maintenance, language shift and reversing language shift in general and in relation to a specific case of Inner Mongolia, China.

Academic Paper from the year 2019 in the subject Speech Science / Linguistics, grade: A, Kenyatta University, language: English, abstract: Multiple varieties of languages co-exist in a complex interrelationship where the society assigns them different tasks. In 1959, Charles Ferguson provided a comprehensive diglossicview of bilingualism by building on the various domains which are essential in macro-analysis of the functional distributions within the speech communities (Ferguson, 1959). These communities are characterized two or more languages used in intra-societal communications. Diglossia is generally defined as a situation where two different language varieties are spoken with the same speech community (Fishman et al., 1982). On the other hand, bilingual diglossia is a situation where one language variety is used in writing while another one is used in speech. Today, diglossia is one of the most important elements in the study of societal multilingualism. Based on Ferguson's argument, diglossia can be described as a special kind of bilingualism where two co-existing linguistic codes that have different status in the society compete. Use of these language varieties relies on the circumstance (Crystal, 2010). Each the language variety must have a clearly defined role. For example, standard language mainly in formal contexts while a specific dialectal form is used in low functions such as family and social gatherings. Studies observed that the concept of diglossia can be observed in the case of language use in China. In support of this observation, the author reviewed the concepts diglossia, language maintenance, language shift and reversing language shift in general and in relation to a specific case of Inner Mongolia, China.

This book looks closely at Yi bilingual education practice in the southwest of China from an educationalist’s perspective and, in doing so, provides an insight toward our understanding of minority language maintenance and bilingual education implementation in China. The book provides an overview on the Yi people since 1949, their history, society, culture, customs and languages. Adopting the theory of language ecology, data was collected among different Yi groups and case studies were focused on Yi bilingual schools. By looking into the application of the Chinese government’s multilingual language and education policy over the last 30 years with its underlying language ideology and practices the book reveals the de facto language policy by analyzing the language management at school level, the linguistic landscape around the Yi community, as well as the language attitude and cultural identities held by present Yi students, teachers and parents. The book is relevant for anyone looking to more deeply understand bilingual education and language maintenance in today’s global context.

A comprehensive discussion of the key aspects of this important sub-field of language contact and multilingualism studies.

This book offers a sociolinguistic study of the Chinese community in Britain. It focuses on generational changes in language choice and code-switching patterns of Chinese immigrant families. The social network model developed in the study is intended to account for the relationship between community norms of language use and conversational strategies of individual speakers, and for the relation of both to the broader social, economic and political context.

China, with the world's largest population, numerous ethnic groups and vast geographical space, is also rich in languages. Since 2006, China's State Language Commission has been publishing annual reports on what is called "language life" in China. These reports cover language policy and planning invitatives at the national, provincial and local levels, new trends in language use in a variety of social domains, and major events concerning languages in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Now for the first time, these reports are available in English for anyone interested in Chinese languge and linguistics, China's languge, education and social policies, as well as everyday language use among the ordinary people in China. The invaluable data contained in these reports provide an essential reference to researchers, professionals, policy makers, and China watchers.

China, with the world's largest population, numerous ethnic groups and vast geographical space, is also rich in languages. Since 2006, China's State Language Commission has been publishing annual reports on what is called "language life" in China. These reports cover language policy and planning invitatives at the national, provincial and local levels, new trends in language use in a variety of social domains, and major events concerning languages in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. Now for the first time, these reports are available in English for anyone interested in Chinese languge and linguistics, China's languge, education and social policies, as well as everyday language use among the ordinary people in China. The invaluable data contained in these reports provide an essential reference to researchers, professionals, policy makers, and China watchers.