Chapter published in:
Advances in Interdisciplinary Language PolicyEdited by François Grin, László Marácz and Nike K. Pokorn
[Studies in World Language Problems 9] 2022
► pp. 111–128
Chapter 6Language and inclusion in a multilingual environment
A bottom-up approach
Rudi Janssens* | Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Since the turn of the century, two important social developments have had a considerable impact on daily life in most western European cities. The first is increasing mobility in a globalised world that transcends the traditional concept of migration and has even led to a paradigm shift in sociological thinking (‘new’ mobilities paradigm). A second related development is at the technological level, where communication patterns have changed significantly and prompted people to expand their networks beyond the local level. Both evolutions are most prominent in cities in which a growing number of citizens engage in different networks and traditional forms of social solidarity are under pressure. In this context, language plays a key role.In this article, based on the case of Brussels, we investigate the dynamics behind the process of social inclusion in a mobile environment and the role that languages play in this. We set out from the Brussels pacification model and the analysis of the impact of mobility on the local population. Based on the shift in language use and citizens’ attitude towards multilingualism and living in a multicultural environment, we seek a breeding ground for inclusive policies through a bottom-up approach. The conclusions focus on its impact on Brussels and its potential significance for other cities.
Article outline
- 1.Introduction and methodological approach
- 2.Theoretical framework
- 2.1The new mobilities paradigm
- 2.2The city as a node of flows
- 2.3The challenges of language and social inclusion in a mobile urban environment
- 3.Brussels as a node of flows
- 3.1A history of dealing with diversity and social inclusion
- 3.2The impact of ‘new’ mobility: Some figures
- 3.3The impact of mobility on language use
- 3.4The impact of mobility on attitudes towards multilingualism
- 3.5Language as a basis for an inclusive identity?
- 4.Discussion and conclusion
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Notes -
References
Published online: 21 January 2022
https://doi.org/10.1075/wlp.9.06jan
https://doi.org/10.1075/wlp.9.06jan
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