Multilingualism and pluricentricity: A tale of many cities is a groundbreaking work that offers fresh insights into the realms of multilingualism and pluricentricity. Composed of twelve chapters authored by researchers from across six continents, this collection takes the reader on an engaging trip through the vibrant and complex world of linguistic diversity within urban contexts. The title itself, a potential nod to Dickens’ classic, hints at its mission to explore the multifaceted tales of language in cities across the globe.
Right from the beginning, the book challenges the traditional scope of sociolinguistic research, which has typically focused on well-known metropolitan centres. Instead, the authors promote a more inclusive approach that acknowledges the linguistic diversity in lesser-known urban areas. This novel approach illuminates the dynamic interactions of languages in cities that are often overlooked in conventional studies.
The book is structured into three main sections, each focusing on various aspects of urban linguistic diversity: multilingual policies, linguistic attitudes and identities, and language evolution. Each section features case studies exploring these dimensions. In the first section, Doris Schüpbach & Claudine Brohy (chapter 1) compare how two multilingual cities in French-German bilingual regions express their linguistic identities in public spaces. They contrast the symmetrical bilingualism of one city, where languages are equally represented, with the pragmatic bilingualism of another, where French dominance shapes a more nuanced approach to multilingualism. John Hajek, Ambrin Hasnain, & Carlie Hanson (chapter 5) investigate the commodification of language in tourist areas, using Melbourne's Lygon Street in Little Italy as an example. They analyse how ‘Italianness’ is constructed through linguistic and cultural symbols, how Italian is used alongside English to cater to a diverse audience, reflecting the lasting impact of Italian settlement in Carlton. In the second section, Chloé Diskin-Holdaway (chapter 7) discusses how new immigrants from Poland and China adapt to non-dominant national varieties like Dublin English. She focuses on distinction, adequation, and local sociolinguistic ideologies to understand how these immigrants negotiate their identities in new linguistic landscapes. In the concluding section, Peter Trudgill & Jane Warren (chapter 9) provide a diachronic analysis of Norwich, showing how the city's linguistic landscape has evolved through significant migrations over centuries. They trace the impact of Danish, Norman, and Dutch influences on Norwich's language and illustrate how these historical layers shape its contemporary linguistic diversity.
Overall, the book manages to be both academically rigorous and accessible. The contributors skilfully blend theoretical frameworks with empirical evidence, making intricate ideas understandable for a broad readership. By focusing on diverse urban communities, it challenges traditional perspectives and expands the reader's appreciation of the places and ways in which linguistic diversity appears. This is particularly pertinent in our globalized era, where migration continuously alters the linguistic makeup of urban centres. The book's interdisciplinary approach, drawing from linguistics, sociology, anthropology, politics, and geography, makes it a valuable resource for scholars and students across various fields. Its comprehensive exploration of urban linguistic diversity offers a rich, nuanced understanding of how languages coexist and evolve within city environments.
