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Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Realist social theory and multilingualism in Europe
AU - Carter, Bob
AU - Sealey, Alison
PY - 2015/3
Y1 - 2015/3
N2 - This paper outlines a theoretical approach to multilingualism in Europe that draws on recent work in realist social theory (RST). It sets out the key concepts of culture, structure and agency, and develops a view of language as a cultural emergent property - that is, as an outcome of the dynamic interplay between these ontological components of the world. The paper provides an indication of the relevance of these ideas for language policy and planning in Europe and explores the methodological implications of our particular account of RST. It also provides an introduction to the subsequent papers, which discuss empirical examples of various European contexts where multilingualism is a feature.
AB - This paper outlines a theoretical approach to multilingualism in Europe that draws on recent work in realist social theory (RST). It sets out the key concepts of culture, structure and agency, and develops a view of language as a cultural emergent property - that is, as an outcome of the dynamic interplay between these ontological components of the world. The paper provides an indication of the relevance of these ideas for language policy and planning in Europe and explores the methodological implications of our particular account of RST. It also provides an introduction to the subsequent papers, which discuss empirical examples of various European contexts where multilingualism is a feature.
KW - realist social theory
KW - multilingualism
KW - language policy
KW - Archer
U2 - 10.1515/eujal-2015-0006
DO - 10.1515/eujal-2015-0006
M3 - Journal article
VL - 3
SP - 1
EP - 19
JO - European Journal of Applied Linguistics
JF - European Journal of Applied Linguistics
SN - 2192-953X
IS - 1
ER -