Regional and Minority Languages in Contemporary Europe: New Perspectives on Language Revitalization 3201-LST-RMLCE
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Regional and minority languages constitute an important part of Europe's cultural and linguistic heritage, yet many face challenges associated with language shift, demographic change, migration, and the dominance of national and global languages. This course introduces students to the theoretical foundations of language revitalization and examines contemporary efforts to maintain, promote, and revitalize minority languages across Europe.
The course explores key concepts such as language endangerment, ethnolinguistic vitality, language ideologies, language policy and planning, new speakers, linguistic citizenship, digital activism, and linguistic landscapes. Through comparative case studies, students will analyze the experiences of communities speaking Welsh, Basque, Irish, Breton, Kashubian, Sorbian, Frisian, Sámi, Lemko/Rusyn, Scottish Gaelic, Belarusian/Podlachian, and other regional and minority languages. Particular attention will be paid to contemporary approaches that emphasize grassroots activism, community-based revitalization, digital media, and the role of language in the construction and negotiation of social, ethnic, national, and regional identities.
FORMS OF WORK:
• Lectures
• Analysis and discussion of readings
• Student-led discussion
• Group discussion and debate
• In-class interviews with representatives of linguistic minority groups
• Final oral presentation
• Final assessment (examination)
TOPICS:
Week 1
Introduction: Linguistic Diversity and Multilingualism in Europe
Week 2
Language Endangerment, Language Shift, and Language Maintenance
Week 3
Theoretical Foundations of Language Revitalization: From Fishman to Contemporary Approaches
Week 4
Language Policy, Minority Rights, and European Institutions
Week 5
Language Ideologies, Identity, and Ethnolinguistic Vitality
Week 6
Case Study I: Irish and Scottish Gaelic
Week 7
Case Study II: Catalan, Galician and Basque
Week 8
Case Study III: Welsh and Breton
Week 9
Case Study IV: Minority languages in Poland: Kashubian, Silesian, Vilamovian, Lemko/Rusyn, Belarusian (Podlachian)
Week 10
Case Study V: Sorbian, Sámi and Other Endangered Minority Languages
Week 11
Case Study VI: European “Collateral Languages” and Language Revitalization: Scots, Occitan, Francoprovençal, Sardinian, Friulian, Low German, Samogitian, Latgalian.
Week 12
New Speakers, Language Activism, and Linguistic Citizenship
Week 13
Digital Media, Social Networks, and Language Revitalization
Week 14
Student Presentations
Week 15
Student Presentations and Course Review
CREDIT REQUIREMENTS:
• Regular attendance and active participation
• Completion of assigned readings
• Leading in-class discussion of assigned readings (each week individual students will be asked to prepare questions on some of the readings)
• Final oral presentation
• Final examination
Course coordinators
Type of course
Mode
Learning outcomes
Knowledge: the graduate knows and understands:
• major concepts and theories of sociolinguistics relevant to language maintenance and revitalization;
• the historical and contemporary sociolinguistic situations of regional and minority languages in Europe;
• the relationship between language, identity, nationalism, and minority rights;
• contemporary approaches to language policy, language planning, and language activism.
Skills: the graduate is able to:
• critically analyze sociolinguistic literature and empirical case studies;
• compare different models of language revitalization;
• evaluate language policies and revitalization programs;
• formulate and present well-supported arguments concerning language and society;
• conduct independent research using appropriate scholarly sources.
Social competences: the graduate is ready to:
• appreciate linguistic and cultural diversity;
• engage respectfully with minority-language communities and perspectives;
• recognize the social and political implications of language policies;
• participate in informed discussions concerning linguistic rights and language revitalization.
Assessment criteria
Component Weight
Attendance and participation 25%
Questions on readings / discussion leadership 15%
Final oral presentation 30%
Final examination 30%
Grading criteria:
• quality and consistency of participation in seminar discussions;
• demonstrated critical engagement with assigned readings and course materials;
• analytical rigor and effectiveness of oral presentations;
• knowledge and critical understanding of key theoretical concepts and empirical issues, as demonstrated in the final examination.
Two absences per semester are permitted.