Normative Language Policy

Reviews / Votes

'Leigh Oakes and Yael Peled have written a book that changes the academic terrain in the field of language policy and planning. Their analysis of the history of language politics in Quebec is incisive and even-handed, revealing all of the complexities and elements that must be considered by political theorists who too often operate from abstract principles and universals at the expense of the role and effects of history and politics 'on the ground'. This book is ambitious in its aims and it delivers what it promises; it is required reading for anyone who wishes to better understand what is at stake when controversies involving language(s) arise in liberal democracies, and how we can better evaluate the risks and benefits of different approaches to dealing with those controversies.' Thomas Ricento, University of Calgary 'Discussions of language rights that traverse political theory and sociolinguistics are still rare. This book is an eloquent and timely contribution that addresses directly this troubling lacuna. In so doing, Oakes and Peled both demonstrate and exemplify the importance of strong interdisciplinary work in examining and addressing language rights, along with their social, political and policy implications. Highly recommended.' Stephen May, University of Auckland 'A highly valuable addition to the language policy literature. It offers a novel and original angle on a classic case, linking it up with the most recent and solid scholarship on the normative issues involved.' Francois Grin, Universite de Geneve, Switzerland 'Effective language policy must unite the findings of disinterested empirical research with the more general and cross-contextual insights of political philosophers. This book represents one of the first sustained attempts at finding common and complementary ground here.' John Edwards, St Francis Xavier University, Nova Scotia