Multilingualism

Sarah Buschfeld is Professor of English Linguistics (Multilingualism) at TU Dortmund University, Germany. 

 

Patricia Ronan is Professor of English Linguistics at TU Dortmund University, Germany. 

 

Manuela Vida-Mannl is Postdoctoral Researcher in English Linguistics (Multilingualism) at TU Dortmund University, Germany.

This textbook takes a broad perspective on multilingualism, using a sociolinguistics and acquisition-informed approach that treats multilingualism not solely as the mastery of two or more well-defined language systems, but rather as a continuum of linguistic repertoires and resources to be used in different settings and combinations. The authors introduce traditional aspects of multilingualism - including historical dimensions, societal and individual multilingualism, aspects of identities, ideologies, education, and language policies - before going on to examine newer manifestations such as multilingualism in migrant and refugee contexts, in new media, pop music and linguistic landscaping, as well as the notion of grassroots multilingualism. This textbook will be an ideal resource for postgraduate students of linguistics and multilingualism, as well as advanced undergraduate students who are looking for a nuanced and holistic approach to the topic.

Takes a broad perspective on multilingualism as a continuum of linguistic repertoires and resources

Chapter 1: Welcome to a multilingual world.- Chapter 2: Multilingualism then and now.- Chapter 3: The multilingual individual: who is multilingual and what is special?.- Chapter 4: Linguistic mechanisms, processes, and results.- Chapter 5: Linguistic manifestations in a multilingual world: focus on English.- Chapter 6: Societal multilingualism.- Chapter 7: Multilingualism between identities, ideologies, and language policies.- Chapter 8: Multilingual education and teaching.- Chapter 9: Multilingualism in migrant and refugee contexts.- Chapter 10: Multilingualism in new media.- Chapter 11: Multilingual pop music.- Chapter 12: Linguistic Landscapes.- Chapter 13: Investigating multilingualism.- Chapter 14: Using existing data repositories and data analysis.