Metrolingualism

17.03.2022.
Vuk Vukotic
Keywords
Mono-, Multi-, Poly-, Metro-

… - lingualism

• Superdiversity
• Globalisation
Monolingualism vs. ...?
• The idea of monolingualism originates in imperialism and the
creation of nation-states
• Standardization creates the idea that world consists of a number of
distinct languages, fixed upon the nation
• Dialects are idealized as types of language fixated upon a certain
territory, immobile and slowly changing or dying out
• Enlightenment ideals: Language is seen only in the function to inform,
refer to objects, retell (as if all language is an academic discussion)
• Implemented in the national schooling system
Is a map the correct way of presenting
languages? Do they come from the earth?
Effects of monolingualism
Wrong ideas:
• Standard languages are the same as languages
• In fact: standard languages are relatively new
• “Dialects” are derived from languages
• In fact: dialects are much much older than “Polish / Lithuanian” language
• Language has to be learned in school
• In fact: language is learned automatically from the environment
• Language has a national essence and is transfered through
generations
• In fact: language is determined by environment
Monolingualism as an ideology: recap
• Languages are:
• Standard or dialectal
• Fixed on a people, group or territory
• National (or not)
• Have a singular inner logic (grammar)
• Languages are systems beyond the speaker
Monolingulism in a globalized world?
• Bi- / Multilingualism Problem:
• Use of many languages, mixing Explained with globalisation
• Globalisation, foreign language learning
• Multiple monolingualism?
Are phenomena of use of
multiple ‘languages’, mixing and
hybridity new?
• Polylanguaging
• Urban migration settings
• Youth language
• Focus not on form but use (hence -ing*)
Reality of language in cities
• What is a city?
• When and where did cities emerge?
Reality of language in cities
Reality of language in cities
The late medieval / early modern city
• Colonial trade and capitalism
• Places of concentrated political power
• Early democracy
• Power of guilds

How is this (politically, socially, economically)

different from feudal estates?
Metrolingualism: language in the city?
• Cities attract inhabitants of rural areas estates and/or other cities
• The nature of conversation is more complex
• Trade
• Cooperative work
• Self-government
• Development:
• Medieval / Renaissance city trade
• Industrial cities industry
• Post-industrial cities hi-tech
Metrolingualism
• Hybridity has always been the normal condition of talking
• Hybridity is unmarked (neutral)