Language Allegiances and Bilingualism in the US

Eight North American academics and attorneys contribute nine chapters analyzing language allegiances, particularly in a multilingual society such as the US. A common thread throughout is, whether based on reality or a perception of reality, there is a privileged connection between language and identity. The questions addressed include whether language allegiances are rational, whether allegiance to more than one language is possible, how we define language, whether allegiances to minority languages are supportive of a liberal state or antithetical to it, and the ability to be objective in analysis of our language varieties. In examining the identification of specific beliefs and attitudes towards language, the authors explore how specific perceptions of language lead to particular actions in the areas of language ideologies, legal litigation, educational agendas, political strategies, and cultural identities. No subject index. Distributed in the US by UTP Distribution. Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

M. Rafael Salaberry (PhD, Cornell University) is Professor of Second Language Acquisition in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese (University of Texas-Austin). Prof. Salaberry? s research focuses on (1) the development of tense and aspect among adult second language learners, (2) second language teaching, including methodology, testing and web-based learning and (3) bilingual education. His research is presented in several books published by John Benjamins (2000, 2002, 2005), Georgetown University Press (2003, 2006) and Continuum Press (2008) as well as several articles in peer-refereed journals. He is also the producer of the documentary film ? The Choosers? (2006) on two-way bilingual education.