Language Policy and the New Speaker Challenge

Colin H. Williams is Senior Research Associate at the Von Hügel Institute, University of Cambridge, and Honorary Professor at Cardiff University. He has been a policy adviser to governments in the UK, Ireland and Canada. Notable publications include Linguistic Minorities in Democratic Context (2013) and Minority Language Promotion, Protection and Regulation (2013).

• 1. The emergence of the new speaker phenomenon; 2. Popinjays, pragmatism and policy: a new speaker triptych; 3. Wales: normalised expectations; 4. Scotland: cautious consideration; 5. Ireland: tempered acceptance; 6. The Basque autonomous community and Navarre: enthusiastic endorsement; 7. Catalonia and Galicia: unalloyed support?; 8. The policy community and recommendations on new speakers; 9. Conclusion: contemporary challenges; Appendices.

'By considering the diverse contexts and perspectives examined in the book, scholars, policymakers, and language advocates can gain insights into the multifaceted nature of language policy and work towards more inclusive and effective approaches to language preservation.' Remart Dumlao, Language in Society