It is clearly illogical to search for one good, universal solution for multilingual education when educational contexts differ so widely due to demographic and social factors. The situation is further complicated by the motivations of learners and teachers, and by attitudes towards multilingualism and ‘otherness’. The studies in this volume seek to investigate not only whether certain solutions and practices are ‘good’, but also when and for whom they make sense. The book covers a wide range of Western multilingual contexts, and uncovers common themes and practices, shared aims and preoccupations, and often similar solutions, within seemingly diverse contexts. In addition to chapters based on empirical data, this book offers theoretical contributions in the shape of a discussion of the appropriateness of L1-Ln terminology when discussing complex multilingual realities, and looks at how the age factor works in classroom settings.

In Communist times, it was impossible to do sociolinguistic work on Hungarian in contact with other languages. In the short period of time since the collapse of the Soviet bloc, Hungarian sociolinguists have certainly done their very best to catch up. This volume brings together the fruits of their work, some of which was hitherto only available in Hungarian. The reader will find a wealth of information on many bilingual communities involving Hungarian as a minority language. The communities covered in the book are located in countries neighboring Hungary (Austria, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania and Ukraine) as well as overseas (in Australia and the United States). Several of the chapters discuss material derived from the Sociolinguistics of Hungarian Outside Hungary project. Throughout the book, the emphasis is on how the language use of Hungarian minority speakers has been influenced by the majority or contact language, both on a sociolinguistic macro-level as well as on the micro-level. In the search for explanations, particular attention is given to typological aspects of language change under the conditions of language contact.

The present volume consists of articles dealing with a broad range of multilingual practices in Finno-Ugric literatures, in a variety of sociopolitical contexts from Central Europe to Western Siberia. Literature can strengthen the voices of minority communities, enhance the prestige of languages and encourage their creative use. Today's Finno-Ugric literatures give valuable insights into the everyday realities of multilingualism and cultural diversity, showing the performativity of cultures in multicultural and transcultural settings.

First published in 1998. This is the only up to date English language work which seeks to assess the whole of the post war Austrian experience in the light of the latest research, using a multi-disciplinary approach by historians, political scientists, economists, international relations specialists and literary historians. It is addressed not only to specialists in Austrian affairs, but also to studies and scholars concerned with the evaluation of small democracies, their place in an integrated continent and the shape of post-Communist Central Europe. The formative first few decades of the Second Republic are reassessed in four contributions: analysis of the key actors and events involved in the genesis of post war state; of the activities of Karl Renner’s first coalition government; of how tensions regarding Austrian identity were played out in post-war literature and of the competing domestic and superpower perceptions of Austria’s fledging neutrality.

Although a number of edited collections deal with either the languages of the world or the languages of particular regions or genetic families, only a few cover sign languages or even include a substantial amount of information on them. This handbook provides information on some 38 sign languages, including basic facts about each of the languages, structural aspects, history and culture of the Deaf communities, and history of research. This information will be of interest not just to general audiences, including those who are deaf, but also to linguists and students of linguistics. By providing information on sign languages in a manner accessible to a less specialist audience, this volume fills an important gap in the literature.

This encyclopedia is the most current and exhaustive reference available on international education. It provides thorough, up-to-date coverage of key topics, concepts, and issues, as well as in-depth studies of approximately 180 national educational systems throughout the world. Articles examine education broadly and at all levels--from primary grades through higher education, formal to informal education, country studies to global organizations.

A glowing biography of a Hungarian who came to the US at the age of 16 and worked his way from immigrant factory jobs to wealth and fame as an international hotelier, corporate executive, and US Army intelligence officer with friends in all the right places. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR