Available online
Description
From the early middle ages until the late nineteenth century, French was the leading vernacular language of Europe in terms both of numbers of speakers and of prestige. Its prestige is still high, ...particularly in France itself, where the activities of the Acadamie Francaise aim to keep it "pure." But in the neighbouring countries of Luxembourg and Belgium, its status is complicated by the presence of other languages. In Luxembourg it is used for certain set purposes, while German and Luxembourgish are used for other purposes. The population of Luxembourg is effectively tri-lingual. In Belgium, the languages are French and Flemish and while laws have been passed to give these languages equal status, this has not had the unifying effect that was intended.
From the early middle ages until the late nineteenth century, French was the leading vernacular language of Europe in terms both of numbers of speakers and of prestige. Its prestige is still high, ...particularly in France itself, where the activities of the Acadamie Francaise aim to keep it "pure." But in the neighbouring countries of Luxembourg and Belgium, its status is complicated by the presence of other languages. In Luxembourg it is used for certain set purposes, while German and Luxembourgish are used for other purposes. The population of Luxembourg is effectively tri-lingual. In Belgium, the languages are French and Flemish and while laws have been passed to give these languages equal status, this has not had the unifying effect that was intended.
| Module code and title: | E263, Language in use |
|---|---|
| Item code: | E263; 02 |
| Recording date: | 1980-07-04 |
| First transmission date: | 08-03-1981 |
| Published: | 1981 |
| Rights Statement: | Rights owned or controlled by The Open University |
| Restrictions on use: | This material can be used in accordance with The Open University conditions of use. A link to the conditions can be found at the bottom of all OUDA web pages. |
| Duration: | 00:18:32 |
| Note: | Also held on audiocassette 479B |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Meg Sheffield |
| Contributors: | Jane Knowles; Tony Pugh; Rene Herail; Leo Tindemans; Professor Baetens-Beardsmore; M Druon |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Acadamie Francaise; Belgium; Linguistic Conflict; Trilingualism |
| Master spool number: | TLN27950H965 |
| Production number: | TLN27950H965 |
| Available to public: | no |
