{"product_id":"multilingualism-a-very-short-introduction-paperback","title":"Multilingualism: A Very Short Introduction - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eJohn C. Maher\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe languages of the world can be seen and heard in cities and towns, forests and isolated settlements, as well as on the internet and in international organizations like the UN or the EU. How did the world acquire so many languages? Why can't we all speak one language, like English or Esperanto? And what makes a person bilingual? Multilingualism, language diversity in society, is a perfect expression of human plurality. About 6,500-7,000 languages are spoken, written, and signed throughout the linguistic landscape of the world by people who communicate in more than one language (at work, or in the family or community). Many origin myths, like Babel, called it a \"punishment\" but multilingualism makes us who we are and plays a large part of our sense of belonging. Languages are instruments for interacting with the cultural environment and their ecology is complex. They can die (Tasmanian), or decline then revive (Manx and Hawaiian), reconstitute from older forms (modern Hebrew), \u003cbr\u003egain new status (Catalan and Maori) or become autonomous national languages (Croatian). Languages can even play a supportive and symbolic role as some territories pursue autonomy or nationhood, such as in the cases of Catalonia and Scotland. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn this \u003cem\u003eVery Short Introduction\u003c\/em\u003e John C. Maher shows how multilingualism offers cultural diversity, complex identities, and alternative ways of doing and knowing to hybrid identities. Increasing multilingualism is drastically changing our view of the value of language, and our notion of the part language plays in national and cultural identities. At the same time multilingualism can lead to social and political conflict, unequal power relations, issues of multiculturalism, and discussions over 'national' or 'official' languages, with struggles over language rights of local and indigenous communities. Considering multilingualism in the context of globalization, Maher also looks at the fate of many endangered languages as they disappear from the world. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THE SERIES: \u003c\/strong\u003e The \u003cem\u003eVery Short Introductions\u003c\/em\u003e series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.\u003cbr\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJohn C. Maher \u003c\/strong\u003eis Professor of Linguistics at the International Christian University, Tokyo. He was Lecturer in Asian Studies at the University of Edinburgh, British Council lecturer in the Philippines, and Senior Academic Member at St. Antony's College, Oxford University. He is the author of \u003cem\u003eEnglish as an International Language of Medical Communication\u003c\/em\u003e (University of Michigan Press, 1992), co-editor of \u003cem\u003eMultilingual Japan\u003c\/em\u003e (Multilingual Matters, 1995), with Kyoko Yashiro, and co-author of \u003cem\u003eIntroducing Chomsky\u003c\/em\u003e (ICON, 2005), with Judy Groves. He is Editor of \u003cem\u003eEducational Studies\u003c\/em\u003e and Program Director of Linguapax Asia.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 144\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.6 x 6.8 x 4.3 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIllustrated:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e June 22, 2017\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51753946939680,"sku":"9780198724995","price":14.02,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/9764\/5344\/files\/a5087236f7297a598b95c5b00826b3a9.webp?v=1780030115","url":"https:\/\/ebocreations.com\/products\/multilingualism-a-very-short-introduction-paperback","provider":"The E-Book Oasis LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}