Language competition modeling and language policy evaluation
In this paper, we present a framework for the analysis of effects of language policies on the competition between
languages. At the core of this framework is a language competition model that takes into account four pivotal factors for the
evolution of the linguistic composition of a society: intergenerational language transmission, formal language education, adult
language learning and migration. In contrast to the majority of models available in the literature, our model operates with
parameters that can be estimated from empirical socio-linguistic data. It allows the reconstruction of past and simulate future
dynamics. Language policies can be modeled as changes in model parameters. Therefore, projections derived from the model can be
utilized to compare the effects of different policy options. We use Basque and Spanish within the Basque Autonomous Community in
Spain to illustrate the application of the model.
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 1.1Language policy evaluation
- 1.2Language competition models
- 1.3Combining language competition models and policy evaluation
- 2.The language competition model
- 2.1Setting and Notation
- 2.2Building the model
- Family formation
- Language transmission
- Language learning in schools and by adults
- Migration
- 3.Illustration of the model: The Basque Autonomous Communities
- 3.1Data and model parameters
- Linguistic composition
- Population dynamics and migration
- Linguistic concentration
- Language transmission
- Schooling
- Adult language learning
- 3.2Analysis and projections
- 3.3Dynamic language policy analysis
- 4.Conclusions and outlook
- Notes
-
References
References
Abrams, D. M., & Strogatz, S. H.
(
2003)
Linguistics: Modelling the dynamics of language death.
Nature, 424(6951), 900–900.
Basque Government
(
2008)
Fourth Sociolinguistic Survey 2006 (Tech. Rep.). Vitoria-Gasteiz.
Basque Government
(
2013)
Fitth Sociolinguistic Survey 2011 (Tech. Rep.). Vitoria-Gasteiz.
Cassels Johnson, D.
(
2013)
Language Policy. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Castellano, C., Fortunato, S., & Loreto, V.
(
2009)
Statistical physics of social dynamics.
Reviews of modern physics, 81(2), 591.
Eustat
(
2014)
Panorámica Demográfica 2014 (Tech. Rep.). Donostia-San Sebastian: Instituto Vasco de Estadística.
Fernando, C., Valijärvi, R.-L., & Goldstein, R. A.
(
2010)
A model of the mechanisms of language extinction and revitalization strategies to save endangered languages.
Human biology, 82(1), 47–75.
Gardner, N.
(
2002)
Language policy for Basque in education.
Submission to the Education and Lifelong Learning Committee of the National Assembly of Wales.
Gobierno Vasco
(
2003)
Bases para una mayor eficacia y mejora de la calidad de la euskaldunización y alfabetización de adultos (Tech. Rep.). Vitoria-Gasteiz.
Gobierno Vasco
(
2008)
Transmisión intergeneracional del euskera en la CAV. Vitoria-Gasteiz: Servicio Central de Publicaciones del Gobierno Vasco.
Gobierno Vasco, Gobierno de Navarra, & Euskararen erakunde publikoa-Office public de la langue basque
(
2016)
Vi encuesta sociolingüística: Comunidad autónoma de euskadi (Tech. Rep.). Donostia-San Sebastián.
Gong, T., Shuai, L., & Zhang, M.
(
2014)
Modelling language evolution: Examples and predictions.
Physics of Life Reviews, 11(2), 280–302.
Grin, F.
(
1999)
Economics. In
J. A. Fishman (Ed.),
Handbook of Language and Ethnic Identity (pp. 9–24). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Grin, F.
(
2003)
Language planning and economics.
Current issues in language planning, 4(1), 1–66.
Houle, R., & Corbeil, J.-P.
(
2017)
Language Projections for Canada, 2011 to 2036 (Tech. Rep.). Ottawa: Statistics Canada.
ISEI-IVEI
(
2005)
Level B2 in Basque at the end of obligatory education (Tech. Rep.). Bilbao.
John, A.
(
2016)
Dynamic Models of Language Evolution: The Economic Perspective. In
V. Ginsburgh &
S. Weber (Eds.),
The Palgrave Handbook Economics and Language (pp. 61–100). New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Minett, J. W., & Wang, W. S.
(
2008)
Modelling endangered languages: The effects of bilingualism and social structure.
Lingua, 118(1), 19–45.
Morrill, R. L.
(
2016)
On the measure of geographic segregation.
Geography research forum, 111, 25–36. Retrieved 2016-02-22, from
[URL]
Sabourin, P., & Bélanger, A.
(
2015)
Microsimulation of Language Dynamics in a Multilingual Region with High Immigration.
International Journal of Microsimulation, 8(1), 67–96.
Templin, T., Seidel, A., Wickström, B.-A., & Feichtinger, G.
(
2016)
Optimal language policy for the preservation of a minority language.
Mathematical Social Sciences (81), 8–21.
Wickström, B.-A.
(
2005)
Can Bilingualism be Dynamically Stable?: A Simple Model of Language Choice.
Rationality and Society, 171, 81–115.
Zalbide, M., & Cenoz, J.
(
2008)
Bilingual education in the Basque Autonomous Community: Achievements and challenges.
Language, Culture and Curriculum, 21(1), 5–20.
Cited by
Cited by 2 other publications
Gazzola, Michele & Torsten Templin
2022.
Language Competition and Language Shift in Friuli-Venezia Giulia: Projection and Trajectory for the Number of Friulian Speakers to 2050.
Sustainability 14:6
► pp. 3319 ff.
Templin, Torsten, Bengt-Arne Wickström & Michele Gazzola
This list is based on CrossRef data as of 10 april 2022. Please note that it may not be complete. Sources presented here have been supplied by the respective publishers.
Any errors therein should be reported to them.