Language and Literature paper by Gál, Noémi
The effects of the EU's language policy on revitalizing endangered languages: the case of Hungarian in minority contexts
Type of Abstract (select):Abstract (max. 250 words):
In my presentation I aim to outline the general linguistic context of the EU because preserving the Hungarian language and finding its future depends highly on the linguistic rights and language policies of the different countries.
One of the starting points of my paper is a quote from the Council Resolution on a European Strategy of Multilingualism (2008): “Linguistic and cultural diversity is part and parcel of the European identity; it is at once a shared heritage, a wealth, a challenge and an asset for Europe.” On the one hand preserving cultural and linguistic diversity is a response to globalization, which is becoming more and more accentuated, motivating individuals to find their origins, their roots and some necessary benchmarks, language being one of these. On the other hand language is a symbol of cultural identity and resistance to any foreign domination.
One of the goals of my paper is to discuss the concepts of linguistic diversity and multilingualism as understood within the European Union, as well as their manifestation on the level of national language rights in the different countries of the European Union where Hungarian is present as a minority language.
Brief Professional Bio (max. 100 words):
Gál Noémi, PhD is currently a lecturer at the Sapientia University of Marosvásárhely, at the Department of Humanities. She completed her university studies in 2003 at the Babeş–Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca majoring in English language and literature and Hungarian language and literature. She received her Master’s degree in Irish Studies at the same university in 2004. She completed her doctoral studies in 2009, the title of her thesis being Language Revitalization. Theory, Methodology and Perspectives. Her main field of research is sociolinguistics and the revitalization of endangered languages. She has presented her results at numerous national and international conferences and workshops.