INTRAC’s Post

Hi folks. In this post I'm going to wrap up what turned out to be a pretty good year for me. I started out the year expecting to be leaving academia, and ended it with an ongoing job that I landed at the eleventh hour: in 2025 I'll be starting a position as lecturer in linguistics in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University, and I couldn't be happier. In November I launched my new book, The Politics of Language Oppression in Tibet through Cornell University Press. It brings together almost two decades of thinking, research, and writing about the complex language politics of Tibet, and provides what I think are important lessons about the future of global linguistic diversity: https://lnkd.in/gVjV6uDV I had a good year for publications, with four academic articles coming out across the year: Securing the right to assimilate: How the drafting of the genocide convention helped undermine language rights: https://lnkd.in/gt3D-KHP Towards a sociolinguistics of deglobalization (with Jess Kruk): https://lnkd.in/gEtGf4bD “Conquered primitives have no written language”: Language revitalization, reactionary settler colonialism, and perpetual genocide https://lnkd.in/gCdqMGGz We need a global language rights movement: https://lnkd.in/gG46itPV The last article has now almost hit 35,000 reads 😮 I also had a non-academic article out with Meanjin: "Don’t read the comments: The backlash against Indigenous language reclamation in Australia" https://lnkd.in/gv6EtmDg  Across the year you could also find me in the Guardian, ABC Radio National, International Affairs, Red Pepper, Positions Politics, and Language on the Move. I also continued to be active in advocating for language rights and linguistic justice. In February I helped organize Global Language Advocacy Days for the Global Coalition for Language Rights (GCLR), and then I stepped down from my two-year tenure as co-chair of the coalition. My last bit of work with GCLR was helping to launch the inaugural Language Rights Defenders Award: https://lnkd.in/gpxkEnEc Later in the year, I worked with my friends Irene G. and Veronica Costea to set up an exciting new project, the Linguistic Justice Foundation. I am really happy with how it is going so far (did you see our recent announcement introducing our board?). I think we're going to do lots of great work in 2025 and far beyond. I hope you've all had a good year 🙂

Indigenizing media content or indigenizing media language? Most dicussions on education and language policy often leave out the media yet the media plays an extremely crucial role in advancing discourses on culture and identity, whose backbone is language and language use. How does the media through films, tv and radio ensure that the content aired in the indigenous languages create a platform for the society, whose cultures and identities being represented, to participate in global issues within the context of their own cultural values and beliefs? Does the use of indigenous languages alongside indigenizing the content make these cultures less global? #VADConference2024 #UniversityofBayreuthGermany #reconfiguringafricanstudies #indigenizingglobalization #politicaleconomyofindigenouslanguageuseinmedia

Mayan languages in Guatemala are at a critical crossroads, facing significant challenges from economic pressures, migration, and the dominance of Spanish. Despite the 1996 Peace Accords, which aimed to improve Indigenous rights, obstacles remain. This report by Research Analyst David Neef, MPA, MA offers a deep dive into the current state of Mayan languages, uncovering the historical suppression and the powerful role of digital initiatives and grassroots activism in revitalizing these endangered languages. Click here to read the most recent #gorstra report for the Latin America and Caribbean Desk: https://lnkd.in/eAACpZ2g #MayanLanguages #CulturalPreservation #Guatemala #HumanRights #IndigenousVoices #EndangeredLanguages #IndigenousLanguages #MayanCulture #IndigenousCommunities

New book chapter is out. It is titled "Unsettling Coloniality of Language: English in Contexts Colonized by Other Languages". This chapter argues that some peripheries are making use of the coloniality of language by advancing English as a decolonial option to undo the lingering legacies of colonial languages such as French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian. That is, some peripheries are replacing linguistic colonialism with linguistic coloniality. It posits that the political instrumentalisation of language betrays the Moroccan state’s failures to signal a true (post)colony as it sustains supposedly ‘liberal’ and ‘progressive’ language policies that enforce English to earn acceptance from the dominant and hegemonic Anglosphere of the world. https://lnkd.in/gF3c5yaa

I am delighted that the #article ‘Language as a diasporic stance: Polish in a migrant urban space’ that I wrote with Yaron Matras has now been published in Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, and is available in #OpenAccess: https://lnkd.in/d6pRA2H4 In the article we examine the role of the Polish #language in shaping single transactions and durable social bonds and in demarcating interaction spaces among Polish immigrants in a UK metropolitan area. Language choice can be essential, in that it cannot be replaced by a substitute. Therefore, it is either constitutive of an action routine in the sense that it lends a particular performative character to a practice; or casual, in that it accompanies a routine but is of little symbolic function and contributes little to performing belonging. We identify a spread of features of language across different practices, prompting reflection on the role of language as a co-defining indicator of #diaspora communities.

Calls: Language, Politics and Power in German-speaking Countries: Call for Papers: You are welcome to send your abstracts for individual presentations (20 minutes, followed by 10-minute-long discussions) on any aspect of one of the following themes: (i) minority and heritage languages in the German-speaking countries (ii) the impact of migration on the linguistic diversity in German-speaking countries (iii) the problem of language endangerment in German-speaking countries The term 'German-speaking countries' includes states/regions where German is spoken as

Think OUT LOUD (1) In today's interconnected world, our perspectives are often shaped by political events. However, it's crucial to reflect on how these biases can unfairly affect our views on the languages and cultures of different peoples. Take the current situation in Ukraine, for instance. The political tensions have led some to speak negatively about the Russian language. But is it fair to let political conflicts tarnish our appreciation for a language that carries centuries of literature, art, and history? Language is a vessel of culture and identity. It transcends political boundaries and connects us to the human experience. When we allow political prejudices to dictate our attitudes towards a language, we miss out on the richness it offers. So, how can we rise above this? Here are a few thoughts: 1. Educate Ourselves: Learn about the history and cultural significance of different languages. Understanding their roots can foster appreciation and respect. 2. Engage with Literature and Art: Dive into the literature, music, and art of various cultures. These expressions often reveal the beauty and depth of a language. 3. Promote Inclusivity: Encourage conversations that celebrate linguistic diversity. Highlight stories and experiences that showcase the positive aspects of different languages. 4. Separate Politics from Culture: Recognize that political actions do not define an entire people or their language. Appreciate the cultural contributions independently of political contexts. By cherishing the languages, literature, and cultures of all nations, we can build a more inclusive and understanding world. What do you think about this stumbling point regarding politics and languages? #CulturalDiversity #LanguageLearning #Inclusivity #Respect

The Buryat language is a key cultural connector in Eastern Russia, Mongolia, and China. This article provides insights into its Mongolic origins, unique grammatical features, and the impact of Russian influence. Preservation efforts highlight its importance. https://lnkd.in/dANUAB_M  #BuryatLanguage #CulturalPreservation #LinguisticDiversity #MongolicLanguages

The fears surrounding Atatürk's language reform reflect deep-seated concerns about cultural identity and integrity within the Turkish nation. While the adoption of the Latin alphabet aimed to modernize and unify Turkey, it also raised questions about maintaining connections to Islamic heritage and resisting foreign influences. In summary, my argument underscores the importance of viewing language not just as a means of communication but as a critical component of cultural identity. The transition from Arabic to Latin script in Turkey serves as a case study for understanding how language reforms can impact national identity, cultural preservation, and the ongoing negotiation between tradition and modernity in an increasingly interconnected world.