International Handbook of Bilingual Education

(Hardback)

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Description

This comprehensive handbook introduces a theoretical framework of the contextual situations of language maintenance and shift in which are found bilingualism and bilingual education. It presents us with the basic facts about language and language families in the world and where they are located, and illustrates the range of possibilities of languages in contact. A major portion of this important work is devoted to a series of case studies of bilingualism/multilingualism within nation states, arranged alphabetically, and representing specific situations in all corners of the world. Each chapter stands alone and can be read for the information it contains. The book provides a valuabe resource for theory testing and documents the range of educational policies for minority social groups, and emphasizes the legitimacy and importance of scholarly study of this complex social issue.

Reviews

Paulston's unique work begins with current consensus, presenting key concepts clearly enough even for undergraduates, with brief glossary for the novice. Next is a chapter on linguistic genetics: relation and distribution of languages, emphasis on diversity. Last is a short essay and list of further general readings. In between, 25 contributors offer diverse case histories of bior, more commonly, multilingual situations from the Americas to Zaire, with Australia missing. The chapters stand alone, so whoever wants to learn about, say, Britain, but not Chile can select; each essay is documented for further specific reading. It will, however, be a pity if those just meeting the scientific study of language education and language planning do not read the entire handbook, for only thus can they truly comprehend Paulston's major points: that language "problems" do not cause, but are themselves the effect of other problems; and that monolingualism is, worldwide, exceptional.-Choice
"Paulston's unique work begins with current consensus, presenting key concepts clearly enough even for undergraduates, with brief glossary for the novice. Next is a chapter on linguistic genetics: relation and distribution of languages, emphasis on diversity. Last is a short essay and list of further general readings. In between, 25 contributors offer diverse case histories of bior, more commonly, multilingual situations from the Americas to Zaire, with Australia missing. The chapters stand alone, so whoever wants to learn about, say, Britain, but not Chile can select; each essay is documented for further specific reading. It will, however, be a pity if those just meeting the scientific study of language education and language planning do not read the entire handbook, for only thus can they truly comprehend Paulston's major points: that language "problems" do not cause, but are themselves the effect of other problems; and that monolingualism is, worldwide, exceptional."-Choice

Author Bio

CHRISTINA BRATT PAULSTON is Professor of Linguistics and Chairperson of the Department of General Linguistics at the University of Pittsburgh.