Language and Minority Rights

<p>The second edition addresses new theoretical and empirical developments since its initial publication including the burgeoning influence of globalization and the relentless rise of English as the current world language. May’s broad position however remains largely unchanged. He argues that the causes of many of the language-based conflicts in the world today still lie with the nation-state and its preoccupation with establishing a 'common' language and culture via mass education. The solution he suggests is to rethink nation-states in more culturally and linguistically plural ways while avoiding at the same time essentializing the language-identity link. This edition like the first adopts a wide interdisciplinary framework drawing on sociolinguistics applied linguistics sociology political theory education and law. It also includes new discussions of cosmopolitanism globalization the role of English and language and mobility highlighting the ongoing difficulties faced by minority language speakers in the world today.</p>