Voicing Plurality in an Open World

In a world characterized by mobility and dynamic formations of cultural, linguistic, and social identities, the general understanding of languages – at least in Europe – still reflects hierarchies and classifications that are based on the 19th century-based nation-state ideology. This book deals with relevant aspects of language against the contemporary ideal of open, pluralistic societies, as well as with consequences on language of increasingly complex and diverse power relations, migration, globalization, and modern phenomena such as ICT.

English summary: Although linguistic plurality and power relations between languages (and their speakers) are changing constantly and at high speed as a result of global migration and democratization processes, the general understanding of languages – at least in Europe – still reflects hierarchies and classifications that are based on the 19th century-based nation-state ideology. However, status differences between languages and the associated power structures cannot be described using 19th century concepts and terminology. Such an understanding would negate all socio-political and socio-cultural developments of the last decades. In recent decades, globalization, increased mobility, transnational networking, and innovative communication technologies have created new forms of language use, more complex and diverse power relations and generally diverse perspectives regarding language. This book deals with relevant aspects regarding the status dimensions of language against the background of the ideal of an open, pluralistic society. These are the key points: Changes in the linguistic landscape in the course of/as a result of migration and globalization Role and status of languages in pluralistic societies The relationship between native languages, diaspora languages, migrant languages, and majority languages Languages and the relevance of ICT Power relations between languages and their speakers The volume Voicing Plurality in an Open World brings together scholars from the fields of linguistics and related disciplines with interest and expertise in linguistic issues and globalization issues, focusing on the status and power relations between languages and their speakers, and their influence and/or transformative potential in a world characterized by mobility, increased complexity, and diverse dynamic formations of cultural, linguistic, and social identities. The authors included here collaborated with Prof. Dieter Halwach in a variety of ways throughout his academic career. The book reflects the interests and focus of his work, as well as his efforts in developing the Plurilingualism Research Unit at the treffpunkt sprachen Centre of the University of Graz. German description: Obwohl sich sprachliche Pluralitat und Machtrelationen zwischen Sprachen (beziehungsweise deren SprecherInnen) als Folge von globaler Migration und Demokratisierungsprozessen konstant und mit hoher Geschwindigkeit verandern, spiegelt das allgemeine Verstandnis von Sprachen – zumindest in Europa – noch immer Hierarchien und Klassifikationen wider, die auf der Nationalstaatenideologie des 19. Jahrhunderts basieren. Statusunterschiede zwischen Sprachen und die damit einhergehenden Machtstrukturen konnen jedoch nicht durch Konzepte und Terminologien aus dem 19. Jahrhundert beschrieben werden. Ein solches Verstandnis wurde alle soziopolitischen und soziokulturellen Entwicklungen der letzten Jahrzehnte negieren. Globalisierung, erhohte Mobilitat, transnationales Networking sowie innovative Kommunikationstechnologien haben in den letzten Jahrzehnten neue Formen der Sprachverwendung, komplexere und diversere Machtverhaltnisse und generell vielfaltige Perspektiven bezuglich Sprache geschaffen. Der Sammelband befasst sich mit relevanten Aspekten bezuglich Statusdimensionen von Sprache vor dem Hintergrund des Ideals einer offenen, pluralistischen Gesellschaft. Kernpunkte sind wie folgt: Veranderungen in der sprachlichen Landschaft im Zuge von/als Folge von Migration und Globalisierung Rolle und Status von Sprachen in pluralistischen Gesellschaften Die Beziehung zwischen native languages (autochthonen Sprachen), diaspora languages (Diaspora Sprachen), Sprachen von MigrantInnen und Mehrheitssprachen Sprachen und die Relevanz von ICT (Information Communication Technology) Machtrelationen zwischen Sprachen und ihren SprecherInnen Der Band Voicing Plurality in an Open World bringt WissenschaftlerInnen aus den Bereichen Linguistik und verwandten Disziplinen mit Interesse und Fachkenntnissen in linguistischen Fragestellungen und Globalisierungsthemen zusammen, deren Schwerpunkt auf den Status- und Machtrelationen zwischen Sprachen und ihren SprecherInnen und deren Einfluss und/oder transformatives Potenzial in einer Welt, die durch Mobilitat, erhohte Komplexitat und vielfaltige dynamische Formationen von kulturellen, sprachlichen und sozialen Identitaten gekennzeichnet ist, liegt. Die AutorInnen haben wahrend Prof. Dieter Halwachs wissenschaftlicher Tatigkeit auf vielfaltige Art und Weise mit ihm zusammengearbeitet. So spiegelt der Sammelband die Interessen und Arbeitsschwerpunkte, sowie seine Aufbauarbeit des Forschungsbereich Plurilingualismus am treffpunkt sprachen der Universitat Graz wider, die das Wirken von Prof. Halwachs kennzeichnen.

Agnes Grond (1972), Mag. Dr. phil. University Assistant at the Institute for Translation Studies, Research Unit for Translation–Migration–Minorities, University of Graz. Her research on Kurdish diaspora languages in Austria draws on the concepts of critical sociolinguistics with a particular focus on new methodological approaches and the development of a practical framework for a broader understanding of the relationship between environmental influences, language policies, and language ideologies on language use in multilingual communication.<br/>Angelika Heiling (1983), Mag.phil. She pursued her MA in English, American Studies and Gender Studies at the University of Graz and the University of Aberdeen. She is currently employed at the Plurilingualism Research Unit and writing a doctoral thesis on local and translocal voices in literature and films from southern Africa. Her main research interests are in critical sociolinguistics and literature, with a focus on Southern African multilingualism, urban multilingualism, and migrant and diaspora contexts.<br/><br/>Oana Hergenröther (1987), Dr. MA. She is post-doctoral researcher in literature at the Plurilingualism Research Unit and the Institute of Slavic Studies of the University of Graz. She studied English and American Studies at the University of Novi Sad, Serbia, and write her doctoral thesis on the novels and films of contemporary American author Paul Auster, basing her later monograph on her doctoral research. She has worked at the University of Graz since 2015, exploring her main interests: literatures in plurilingual and minority contexts with a focus on Southeastern Europe; Age/ing Studies, and contemporary American literature and culture. She is also an active literary translator between Serbian, Romanian, English, and Spanish.<br/><br/>Daniela Unger-Ullmann (1971), Mag. Dr. phil. Since 2007, Head of treffpunkt sprachen – Center for Language, Plurilingualism and Didactics at the University of Graz – and responsible for the university’s anchoring and securing as well as strategically developing the ongoing teaching and research. She studied German and Latin to become a teacher at the University of Graz and completed further academic training in German as a Foreign Language, and Media Studies. She completed her doctorate at the Institute for German Studies in Graz with a dissertation in Older German Literature. From 2010 to 2015 she was director of the Confucius Institute at the University in Graz. Her research focuses on education and teaching management, human resources and organizational development, and language teaching and learning research.

• Edited by Agnes Grond
• Edited by Angelika Heiling
• Edited by Oana Hergenröther
• Edited by Daniela Unger-Ullmann