Multilingual Encounters in Europe's Institutional Spaces

Description

Multilingual encounters have been commonplace in many types of institutions, and have become an essential part of supranational institutions such as the EU since their inception. This volume explores and discusses different ways of researching the discursive dimension of these encounters, and critically examines their relevance to policy, politics and society as a whole. This includes institutions at the local, regional and supranational level. Multilingualism in institutions is currently often seen as an obstacle rather than an opportunity, at least with respect to European public and private spheres. The volume asks: - exactly how is multilingualism conceptualized and talked about in different institutions? - how do different institutions 'deal' with multilingualism, both internally and externally? - what are the policy making rules and challenges for the future for various institutions with respect to multilingualism?

Johann W. Unger is Lecturer and Academic Director of Summer Programmes at the University of Lancaster, UK. Michal Krzyzanowski is Full Professor of Media and Communication Studies at OErebro University, Sweden. Ruth Wodak is Distinguished Professor of Discourse Studies at Lancaster University, UK.

An excellent overview of the topic of multilingual encounters in institutional settings ... [E]ach chapter and the entire volume rewards the reader with its complexity and richness. * Sociolinguistic Studies * This is a highly interesting, well-researched and well-edited book. It is very useful for scholars interested in multilingualism and discourse studies, and it provides an excellent methodological tool-kit for future research. In its practical implications, it is also highly relevant for policy makers both on the national and EU levels * LINGUIST List *