A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Language Making of Creoles in multilingual postcolonial societies




AuthorsKrämer Philipp, Mijts Eric, Bartens Angela

PublisherDe Gruyter

Publishing placeBerlin

Publication year2022

JournalInternational Journal of the Sociology of Language

Journal acronymIJSL

Volume2022

Issue274

First page 51

Last page82

eISSN1613-3668

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1515/ijsl-2021-0018

Web address https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/ijsl-2021-0018/html

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/73964760


Abstract

This article investigates Language Making processes in multilingual postcolonial societies where Creole languages are spoken. It raises the question whether or not Language Making in these settings differs from other contexts given the historical preconditions and social, economic, or political inequalities which persist after the colonial period. The paper discusses the potentials of Language Making to support or impede efforts of decolonization. With the help of examples from several Creole-speaking societies, it shows different approaches to conceptualizing Creole languages as linguistic entities with the creation or emergence of norms, different naming strategies or through language policy and planning. It examines the potential contribution of different agents of Language Making and illustrates cases in which Language Making is countered or languages are un-made. As a conclusion, the article shows that the concept of Language Making may need further expansion or nuancing in order to avoid a “Northern” or “Western” bias.


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Last updated on 2025-27-03 at 21:58