Four conceptions of linguistic disadvantage

• Andrew Shorten ^[1]
  1. [1] University of Limerick

     University of Limerick

     Irlanda

     
• Localización: Journal of multilingual and multicultural development, ISSN 0143-4632, Vol. 38, Nº. 7, 2017 (Ejemplar dedicado a: Normative Approaches to Language Policy and Planning), págs. 607-621
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Policymakers need a conception of linguistic disadvantage to supply guidance about the relative priority of inequalities with a linguistic dimension and to inform decisions about whether such inequalities require correction or compensation. A satisfactory conception of linguistic disadvantage will make it possible to compare the situations of speakers of different languages and to assess the normative significance of a range of linguistic inequalities. This paper evaluates four rival conceptions and asks whether they satisfy these criteria. Respectively, these conceptions associate linguistic disadvantage with inadequate communicative opportunities, with being unable to do the things that one cares about, with lacking (access to) important resources, and with capability deprivation. It is argued that a conception of linguistic disadvantage derived from the capabilities approach is the most promising option available to policymakers.