European Revitalization
Over the past thirty years, one of the major developments in Europe in terms of language management has been the developing understanding of how languages can be revived. There is by now a great deal of expertise in language management and planning in many member states and in regional and local governments.
In order to extend and develop expertise in language management at a European level, the Network to Promote Linguistic Diversity (NPLD) has commissioned a study that, for the first time, will reveal the common elements within language management systems in Europe.
NPLD will present the findings of this study by Professor Colin Williams at a conference held in Brussels on Feb. 21, 2013. The conference will also include speakers from the European Parliament and Commission as well as a range of other speakers who represent language communities that have developed robust language strategies during the past few years.
Languages can be revitalized and reinvigorated, but it does call for a level of sophisticated planning and language management.
The NPLD is a Europe-wide network working in the field of language policy & planning for Constitutional, Regional & Small-State Languages (CRSS) across Europe. NPLD includes governments both national and regional, NGOs, universities, and associations.
Its main goal is to raise awareness at a European level on the vital importance of linguistic diversity. It also aims to facilitate the exchange of best practices among the policy makers, practitioners, researchers, and experts from all over Europe.
Over the past 25 years, the face of language planning in Europe has changed considerably. Many national and regional governments have established language boards or departments to promote their language, both at home and at a European level. As a result, a new breed of language-planning professionals have developed with new expertise in this field. The NPLD will respond to this development by providing a forum for these professionals to share best practices, and create strong partnerships to move CRSS language planning forward.
The NPLD works to represent Europe’s linguistic diversity as an opportunity, as a key instrument for the personal, social, and economic development of Europe and its citizens, as well as for intercultural dialogue between Europeans. To this end, the NPLD wishes to work hand-in-hand with the European institutions and the different language communities to ensure that all languages, regardless of status, number of speakers, or political weight, contribute on an equal footing to the construction of an ever-closer Union.
For more, visit www.npld.eu.
