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Students who successfully finish the course
(1) will have gained understanding and knowledge about Modern Celtic minority languages
(2) will be familair with the use of Celtic minority languages in social domains
(3) will be familar with social and political problems facing these languages
(4) will be familiar with the legal status and revitalization policies concerning these minority languages.
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This course will deal specifically with the Modern Celtic minority languages of Irish and Welsh but will also include Scots Gaelic and Breton. One could say that these minority languages have been marginalized politically, socially and culturally by the dominant languages of English and French in their respective societies. What are the political and social problems facing these languages? Are they endangered languages? What steps have been taken towards revitalization? The numerical strength (or weakness) of the Celtic languages and their legal status and rights (nationally and at EU level) will be discussed as well as their position in social domains, particularly in the electronic and printed media and as well as their position within the educational system. The 'visibility' of these languages will be discussed (placenames and road signs). The course will also discuss bilingualism/multilingualism and minority languages.
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