Current Issues In Language Planning
Polity Editors: Robert B. Kaplan (University of Southern California), Richard B. Baldauf Jr. (University of Queensland) and Nkonko Kamwangamalu (Howard University)Bob and Dick are also editors of the book series Language Policy and Planning
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Volume: 6 Number: 1 Page: 44–63
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Prestige From the Bottom Up: A Review of Language Planning in Guernsey
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Julia Sallabank
Department of Linguistics and English Language, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YT, United Kingdom
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This paper discusses language planning measures in Guernsey, Channel Islands. The indigenous language is spoken fluently by only 2% of the population, and is at level 7 on Fishman’s 8-point scale of endangerment. It has no official status and low social prestige, and language planning has little official support or funding. Political autonomy has not increased the language’s status or stopped intergenerational transmission from declining. Most language planning initiatives are very small-scale and are undertaken by pressure groups or individuals, who focus on social prestige at grass-roots level rather than official status. The likelihood of success of current efforts is evaluated.
Keywords: endangered languages, revitalisation, status, prestige, planning, attitudes
©2005 J. Sallabank
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