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The Mechnisms of Swedish–Finnish Language Shift

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 December 2008

Marika Tandefelt
Marika Tandefelt
Affiliation:
University of Helsinki, Department of Scandinavian Languages and Literature, Regeringsgatan 11–13, 00100 Helsingfors 10, Finland
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Abstract

This paper attempts to combia a theoretical model of analysis with the empirical findings from a case study concerning shift. It seems that the process of language shift ought to be studied from an ecological point of view considering different levels of explanation. In the case of the Swedishpeaking minority in Finland, a description confined to the societal level would imply that the minority holds a secure position. On the other hand it is clear that certain subgroups within the minority shift to Finish. The results from a case study suggest that every miniority memeber occupies a key position in the process of language shift. Every attempt to save a language should therefore start with the bilingual individual.

Type
Research Article
Information
Nordic Journal of Linguistics , Volume 9 , Issue 1 , June 1986 , pp. 83 - 96
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1986

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References

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