1 - The Emergence of the New Speaker Phenomenon

Summary

This chapter defines the term new speaker and develops arguments which support the claim that an emergent new perspective on minority language policy and multilingualism poses fresh challenges for official language and educational strategies. It sets forth the approach and methodology of the investigation and describes how data and evidence on language policy and the new speaker phenomenon have been gathered from official publications and an extensive range of interviews with politicians, senior civil servants, academics and civil society activists. Selected features of new speaker profiles are examined, as are the dynamics involved in seeking to integrate into a host community with an emphasis on issues of role models, authenticity, self-confidence, linguistic skills and opportunities to use the target language in safe, breathable spaces.