Description
Book SynopsisThe contribution of this collection of articles is to construct an updated picture of languages and language policy in and around Afghanistan, and give potential language learners a clearer picture of what kinds of resources exist, and what is still needed. The book was co-edited by Brian Spooner, Professor of Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania.
Trade Review"In the final chapter, Harold F. Schiffman returns to the volume's goal, ''to construct an updated picture of languages and language policy in the region, and give potential language learners a clearer picture of what kinds of resources exist, and what is still needed.'' This goal was certainly attained; the essays do just that, and are brought together adroitly, given the wide range of countries, languages, and policy decisions covered. All of the essays are well written, and show a detailed analysis of the state of multilingualism in their respective countries. As such, the volume can serve as a good springboard for current researchers seeking to draw comparisons between different countries and time periods, for those seeking avenues of research for particular languages or language interactions, as well as for students of language policy interested in Central Asia and the ramifications of cultural, ethnic, and political flux on language use." Richard Littauer, Saarland University Linguist List: September 2012.
Table of ContentsList of Maps Preface Acknowledgements List of Contributors 1. Afghan Languages in the Larger Context of Central and South Asia Harold F. Schiffman and Brian Spooner Section I: Afghanistan and Iran 2. Language Policy in Afghanistan: Linguistic Diversity and National Unity Senzil Nawid 3. Locating ‘Pashto’ in Afghanistan: a Survey of Secondary Sources Walter Hakala 4. Persian, Farsi, Dari, Tajiki: Language Names and Language Policies Brian Spooner Section II: Central Asian Republics of the former Soviet Union 5. Reversing Language Shift in Kazakhstan William Fierman 6. Language Policy and Language Development in Multilingual Uzbekistan Birgit Schlyter 7. The Fate of Uzbek Language in the ‘Other’ Central Asian Republics William Fierman Section III: The Northwest Frontier Province and Pashto, Punjabi, and Balochi 8. Pashto Language Policy and Practice in the North West Frontier Province Robert Nichols 9. A ‘Vernacular’ for a ‘New Generation’? Historical Perspectives about Urdu and Punjabi and the Formation of Language Policy in Colonial Northwest India Jeffrey M. Diamond 10. Balochi: Towards a Biography of the Language Brian Spooner Section IV: Pedagogical Resources and Conclusion 11. Resources for the Study of Language Policies and Languages of Afghanistan and Its Neighbors Cynthia Groff 12. Conclusion Harold F. Schiffman
