Cover not available

In:The Politics of Multilingualism: Europeanisation, globalisation and linguistic governance
Edited by Peter A. Kraus and François Grin
[Studies in World Language Problems 6] 2018
► pp. 305–332

Get fulltext from our e-platform
JBE logo with link
PDF logo with download linkDownload Book PDF
EPUB logo with download linkDownload Book EPUB
authorization required

Chapter 13
Idealism or pragmatism?

Ad hoc multilingualism and Open English

 | Sciences Po, Paris
Published online: 10 September 2018
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/wlp.6.13von
Abstract
This chapter aims at setting out a transitory fair language regime for migrants. I show that a lingua franca regime in “Open English” can co-exist with linguistic diversity and ad hoc multilingualism, and that this regime can be sustained transitionally by bilingual bridge-speakers. Democratic requirements of inclusion and parity of esteem can be achieved through a creative non-permanent linguistic arrangement via ad hoc multilingualism plus Open English, particularily relevant in intermediary institutions and situations where newcomers are not (yet) competent in the host-country’s language.
Article outline
  • Introduction
  • 1.Re-thinking diversity and nationalism
    • 1.1Two dominant paradigms: Identity and utility
    • 1.2Two traps: Methodological nationalism and diversity as juxtaposition
    • 1.3Beyond territorial protectionism and diversity accommodation, two paradoxes
  • 2.Open English and ad hoc multilingualism
    • 2.1 Lingua franca and participatory diversity
    • 2.2 Ad hoc transitional multilingualism
      • Intercultural communication (versus acquisition plus use)
      • No standard (rather than no norms: Norms are negotiated ad hoc) versus domination by natives
      • Consensus and creativity
      • Cultural autonomy and reciprocity versus acculturation or (summoned) integration
      • No territorriality (versus nationalism or hegemony)
      • Pragmatic versus identitarian
      • Communication versus translation
      • Conclusion: Equality and non-exclusion, identity and interest
    • 2.3 Ad hoc multilingualism plus bridge speakers
  • Conclusion
  • Acknowledgement
  • Notes
  • References
References (86)
References
Alba, Richard, John Logan, Amy Lutz and Brian Stults (2002). “Only English by the Third Generation? Loss and Preservation of the Mother Tongue among the Grandchildren of Contemporary Immigrants, Demography, 39 (3): 467–484. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Bauböck, Rainer, and Christian Joppke (2012). How Liberal are Citizenship Tests?. Florence: European University Institute.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Bernstein, Basil (ed.) (1971–1973). Class, Codes and Control. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Bhatt, Rakesh M. (2001). “World Englishes”, Annual Review of Anthropology, 30: 527–550. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Boudou, Benjamin, and Astrid von Busekist, (2015). “Language and Immigration: What can be Expected from Newcomers?”, Presented at the “Economics, Linguistic Justice and Language Policy” Symposium, at the Humboldt University, Berlin, 2–3 March.
, (2018). “Language Proficiency and Migration: An Argument against Testing”, in: Michele Gazzola, Torsten Templin and Bengt-Arne Wickström (eds), Language Policy and Linguistic Justice: Economic, Philosophical and Sociolinguistic Approaches, Heidelberg: Springer.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Bourdieu, Pierre (2001). Ce que parler veut dire (1983), 2nd edition, Langage et pouvoir symbolique, Paris: Seuil.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Brooks, Thom (2016). Becoming British: UK Citizenship Examined. London: Biteback Publishing.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Busekist, Astrid von (1997). La Belgique, politiques de la langue et construction de l'État. De 1780 à nos jours. Louvain-la-Neuve: De Boeck-Duculot.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(1998). Nations et nationalismes. xixe et xxe siècles, Paris: Armand Colin.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2004): “Les révolutionnaires et la politique de la langue”, in: Anne-Marie Le Pourhiet (dir), Langues et Constitutions. Paris: Economica.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2006). “Les langues du nationalisme”, in: Alain Dieckhoff and Christophe Jaffrelot (dirs), Repenser le nationalisme: Théories et pratiques. Paris: Presses de Sciences Po.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2008). “Nation nationaliste, nationalisme libérale, postnationalisme. La théorie de la nation à l’épreuve des politiques de la langue”, in: Rainer Hudemann and Manfred Schmeling (eds), Die “Nation” auf dem Prüfstand – La nation en question – Questioning the Nation, pp. 17–34. Berlin: Akademie Verlag.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2009). “Les langues des Européens”, in: Christophe Charle and Daniel Roche (dirs), Dictionnaire de la civilisation européenne. Arles: Actes Sud, 2017.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Canagarajah, Suresh (1997). A Geopolitics of Academic Writing. Asian Edition. New Delhi: Orient Longman.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2007). “Lingua Franca English, Multilingual Communities, and Language Acquisition”, The Modern Language Journal, 91 (s1), 924–939. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Carens, Joseph H. (2003). “Who should Get in? The Ethics of Immigration Admissions”, Ethics and International Affairs, 17 (1): 95–110. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2011). “Le compromis en politique”, dans Actualité du compromis. La construction politique de la difference, pp. 15–36. Paris: Armand Colin, “Recherches”.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2013). The Ethics of Immigration, Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Chomsky, Noam (1986). Knowledge of Language: Its Nature, Origin and Use. New York: Praeger.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Crystal, David (1988). The English Language. University of Michigan MI: Pelican Books.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(1997). English as a Global Language, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Dakhlia, Jocelyne (2008). Lingua Franca, Histoire d’une langue métisse en Méditerranée. Arles: Actes Sud.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
De Briey, Laurent, and Philippe Van Parijs (2002). “La justice linguistique comme justice coopérative”, Revue de philosophie économique, 5: 5–37.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
De Schutter, Helder, and David Robichaud (guest editors) (2015). “Van Parijsian Linguistic Justice – Context, Analysis and Critiques”, CRISP (Critical Review of International Social and Political Philosophy), 18 (2): 87–112. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Dumitru, Speranta (2014). “Qu’est-ce que le nationalisme méthodologioque?, Raisons Politiquzes (Les sciences sociales sont ells nationalistes?), 54 (2): 9–23.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Dworkin, Ronald (2003). “The Court and the University”, New York Review of Books, 50 (8): 15.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2004). “What the Court Really Said”, New York Review of Books, 51 (13): 12.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Eades, Diana (2009). “Testing the Claims of Asylum Seekers: The Role of Language Analysis”, Language Assessment Quarterly, 6 (1): 30–40. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Fiedler, Sabine (2011). “English as a Lingua Franca – A Native – Culture-free Code? Language of Communication vs. Language of Identification”, Journal of Applied Language Studies, 5 (3): 79–97.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Firth, Alan (1996). “The Discursive Accomplishment of Normality. On ‘Lingua Franca’ English and Conversation Analysis”, Journal of Pragmatics, 26 (2): 237–259. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Fraser, Nancy, and Axel Honneth (2003). Redistribution or Recognition?: A Political-Philosophical Exchange, London: Verso Books. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Gazzola, Michele (2012). “The Linguistic Implications of Academic Performance Indicators: General Trends and Case Study”, Journal of the Sociology of Language, 216, 131–156.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2013). “Language Policy and Linguistic Justice in the European Union: The Socio-Economic Effects of Multilingualism”, ELF Working Papers Series, #15.
(2014). “Language policy and linguistic justice in the European Union: the socio – economic effects of multilingualism”, ELF Working Paper No. 15, Observatory “Economics – Languages – Training”, University of Geneva, (2014).
Gazzola, Michele, and François Grin (2013): “Is ELF more Effective and Fair than Translation? An Evaluation of the EU’s Multilingual Regime”, International Journal of Applied Linguistics, 23 (1): 93–107. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Gellner, Ernest (1983). Nations and Nationalism. Oxford: Basil Blackwell.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Ginsburgh, Victor, and Shlomo Weber (2012). How many Languages do we Need?: The Economics of Linguistic Diversity. Princeton NJ: Princeton University Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Goodman, Sara Wallace (2011). “Controlling Immigration through Language and Country Knowledge Requirements”, West European Politics, 34 (2): 235–255. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Grin, François (2004). “L’anglais comme lingua franca: questions de coût et d’équité. Commentaire sur l’article de Philippe Van Parijs”, Économie publique, 15 (2): 33–41.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Grin, François, and Michele Gazzola (2013). “Assessing Efficiency and Fairness in Multilingual Communication: Theory and Application through Indicators”, in: Anne-Claude Berthoud, François Grin and Georges Lüdi (eds), Exploring the Dynamics of Multilingualism, pp. 365–386. Amsterdam: John Benjamins. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Grin, François, Michele Gazzola and François Vaillancourt (2015). “The Economic Evaluation of Language Policy and Planning: An Introduction to Existing Work”, ELF Working Paper No. 19, Observatory “Economics – Languages – Training”, University of Geneva, (2015).
House, Juliane (2003). “English as Lingua Franca: A Threat to Multilingualism?”, Journal of Sociolinguistics, 7 (4): 556–578. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Hüllen, Werner (2003). “Global English – Desired and Dreaded”, in: Rüdiger Ahrens (ed.), Europäische Sprachenpolitik / European Language Policy, pp. 113–122. Heidelberg: Winter.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Jenkins, Jennifer (2003). World Englishes, London: Routledge.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2009). “English as Lingua Franca: Interpretations and Attitudes”, World Englishes, 28 (2): 200–207. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Johnstone, Barbara, 2000: “The Individual Voice in Language”, Annual Review of Anthropology, 29: 405–424. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Kachru, Braj B. (1986). The Alchemy of English: The Spread, Functions, and Models of Non-native Englishes, Chicago IL: University of Illinois Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Khubchandani, Lachman M. (1983). Plural Languages, Plural Cultures. Communication, Identity, and Sociopolitical Change in Contemporary India. Honolulu HI: University of Hawaii Press. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(1997). Revisualizing Boundaries: A Plurilingual Ethos. New Delhi: Sage Publications.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Koskinen, Kaisa (2000). “Institutional Illusions Translating in the EU Commission”, The Translator, 6 (1): 49–65. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Kunnan, Antony John (2012). “Language Assessment for Immigration and Citizenship”, in: Glenn Fulcher and Fred Davidson (eds), The Routledge Handbook of Language Testing, pp. 162–177. Abingdon: Routledge.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Kymlicka, Will (1995). Multicultural Citizenship: A Liberal Theory of Minority Rights. Oxford: Clarendon Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2001). Politics in the Vernacular: Nationalism, Multiculturalism and Citizenship. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2007). Multicultural Odysseys: Navigating the New International Politics of Diversity. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Kymlicka, Will, and K. Banting (2006). “Immigration, Multiculturalism, and the Welfare State”, Ethics and International Affairs, 20 (3): 281–304. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Kymlicka, Will, and Alan Patten (eds) (2003). Language Rights and Political Theory. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Labov, William (1972). Sociolinguistic Patterns, Philadelphia PA: University of Pennsylvania Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Laitin, David (2000). “What is a Language Community?”, American Journal of Political Science, 44 (1): 142–155. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Mamadouh, Virginie (2002). “Dealing with Multilingualism in the European Union: Cultural Theory Rationalities and Language Policies”, Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis: Research and Practice, 4 (3): 327–345. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Miller, David (2005). “Immigration: The Case for Limits”, in: Andrew J. Cohen and Christopher Heath Wellman (eds), Contemporary Debates in Applied Ethics, pp. 363–375. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2010). “Immigrants, Nations, and Citizenship”, in: James S. Fishkin and Robert E. Goodin (eds), Population and Political Theory, Malden MA-Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Paikeday, T. M. (1985). The Native Speaker is Dead!, Toronto: Paikeday.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Patten, Alan, 2003: “Liberal Neutrality and Language Policy”, Philosophy & Public Affairs, 31 (4): 356–386. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Phillipson, Robert (1992). Linguistic Imperialism, Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2008). “Lingua Franca or Lingua Frankensteinia? English in European Integration and Globalization”, World Englishes, 27 (2): 250–267. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2013). “English as Threat or Opportunity in European Higher Education”, available at: [URL].
Pool, Jonathan (1991a). “The Official Language Problem”, The American Political Science Review, 85 (2): 495–514. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(1991b). “The World Language Problem”, Rationality and Society, 3 (1): 78–105. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Rampton, B. (1990). “Displacing the Native Speaker: Expertise, Affiliation, and Inheritance”, ELT Journal, 44 (2): 97–101. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Réaume, Denise G. (2000). “Official Language Rights: Intrinsic Value and the Protection of Difference”, in: Will Kymlicka and Wayne Norman (eds), Citizenship in Diverse Societies, pp. 245–272. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Rodriguez, Cristina M. (2006). “Language and Participation”, California Law Review, 94 (3): 687–767. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Rubio-Marín, Ruth (2003). “Language Rights: Exploring the Competing Rationales”, in: Will Kymlicka and Alan Patten (eds), Language Rights and Political Theory, pp. 52–79. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Sandel, Michael (1982). Liberalism and the Limits of Justice. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Seidlhofer, Barbara (2001). Understanding English as a Lingua Franca. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2004). “Research Perspectives on Teaching English as a Lingua Franca”, Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 24: 209–239. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Shorten, Andrew (2010). “Linguistic Competence and Citizenship Acquisition”, in: Gideon Calder, Philip Cole and Jonathan Seglow (eds), Citizenship Acquisition and National Belonging: Migration, Membership and the Liberal Democratic State, New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Swaan, Abram de (2000). “Why is this in English?”, Schuman Lecture, Universiteit Maastricht, available at: [URL].Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2001). Words of the World: The Global Language System. Cambridge: Polity Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Vaillancourt, François, and Olivier Coche (2009). “Official Language Policies at the Federal Level in Canada: Costs and Benefits in 2006”, Studies in Language Policy. Vancouver: Fraser Institute.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Van Oers, Ricky, Eva Ersbøll and Dora Kostakopoulou (2012). A Re-definition of Belonging? Language and Integration Tests in Europe, Leiden: Martinus Nijhoff.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Van Parijs, Philippe (2003). “Linguistic Justice”, in: Will Kymlicka and Alan Patten (eds), Language Rights and Political Theory, pp. 153–168. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2004). “L’anglais lingua franca de l’Union Européenne: impératif de solidarité, source d’injustice, facteur de déclin?”, Économie publique, 15 (2): 13–32.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2006). “Europe’s Three Language Problems”, in: Dario Castiglione and Chris Longman (eds), The Challenge of Multilingualism in Law and Politics, Oxford-Portland OR: Hart Publishing.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
(2011). Linguistic Justice for Europe and for the World. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Walzer, Michael (1983). Spheres of Justice. New York: Basic Books.Google Scholar logo with link to Google Scholar
Cited by (3)

Cited by three other publications

Ives, Peter
2024. Language Regimes, Global English, and National Public Education. In States of Language Policy, ► pp. 267 ff. DOI logo
Leal, Alice
2023. Meaningful diversity in the European Union. In Diversity and Inclusion across languages [Inklusion und Gesellschaft, 4], ► pp. 31 ff. DOI logo
[no author supplied]
2024. Levels of Governance. In States of Language Policy, ► pp. 207 ff. DOI logo

This list is based on CrossRef data as of 24 november 2025. Please note that it may not be complete. Sources presented here have been supplied by the respective publishers. Any errors therein should be reported to them.

Mobile Menu Logo with link to supplementary files background Layer 1 prag Twitter_Logo_Blue