The Internet as a multilingual space: linguistic diversity and the democratisation of communication
Abstract
The internet has provided new possibilities for many language communities to develop, use, maintain and teach their languages outside the constraints of official language policies. The democratic possibilities of the internet have empowered language planning in local contexts. In this way, the internet has provided a vehicle for communities to establish their own language planning agendas and to respond to local issues and aspirations. In many ways, the internet is replacing older technologies, especially literary production as ways of prestige planning and serves to develop the symbolic capital of the languages and their speakers.
Prof. Tony Liddicoat
Professor Tony Liddicoat, Research Centre for Languages and Cultures, School of International Studies, University of South Australia
Professor in Applied Linguistics at the Research Centre for Languages and Cultures in the School of International Studies at the University of South Australia. He is a former president of the Australian Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations. His research interests include: language and intercultural issues in education, conversation analysis, and language policy and planning. In recent years his research has focussed on ways on issues relating to the teaching and learning of culture through language study and his work has contributed to the development of Intercultural Language Teaching and Learning. He has published many books and papers in this area including “Language Planning in Local Contexts” (Multilingual Matters, 2008 – with Richard Baldauf) “Introduction to Conversation Analysis” (Continuum, 2006), “Language Planning and Literacy” (Multilingual Matters, 2006) “Australian Perspectives on Internationalisation” (Language Australia 2003 – with Susana Eisenchlas and Susan Trevaskes), “Perspectives on Europe” (Language Australia 2002 – with Karis Muller), “Striving for the Third Place” (Language Australia, 1999 – with Joseph Lo Bianco and Chantal Crozet) and “Teaching Languages, Teaching Cultures” (Language Australia 2000 – with Chantal Crozet).