Speaker: Dr. Elana Shohamy, Tel-Aviv University

Title: "Language Occupation in Israel: Competing Ideologies and Ways of Dialoging"

Abstract:

Languages in Israel, as well as in Palestine in the early days of Zionism, have been symbols and manifestations of conflicting and competing ideologies regarding nationalism, globalization, ethnicity, religion, and regional politics. These manifestations led to different patterns of language attitudes and uses ranging from some languages losing status and power to cases of terminal and total occupation when certain languages ceased to be used resulting in their attrition, extinction. The different patterns of language occupation are often a result of explicit and implicit language policies introduced by hegemonic groups (utilizing different mechanisms such as tests, curriculum, laws, etc.), by multiple geo-political and economic factors or by 'benign neglect'.  This paper will focus on the ideologies, battles, policies and outcomes of a number of cases of language competition and language occupation in Israel. The cases discussed include: Hebrew vs. Yiddish (and other Jewish and immigrant languages) in the first part of the 20^th century; Hebrew vs. Arabic in schools and society; Hebrew vs.  Russian (with regards to immigration in the 1990); Hebrew vs. English, Arabic vs. English; and Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) vs. Arabic dialects. Data that point to the methods and processes of each of the language phenomena will be described along with a focus on the costs that individuals whose language had been occupied, pay in terms of identities, status and inclusion. Alternative methods and strategies for 'talking  back', engaging in dialogues, negotiations for the sake of co-existence, tolerance and equal inclusion will be proposed.

Biography:

Dr. Elana Shohamy is a Professor and Chair of the Language Education program at the School of Education, Tel-Aviv University. She researches and writes about multiple issues related language policies, ideologies and practice in multilingual societies, especially in Israel. Her more recent studies focuses on: Language attitudes of Arabs and Jews; spoken Arabic and language attitudes, languages representation in public space (linguistic landscape), Academic achievement of immigrant in schools, language tests as language policies, and various issues related to language rights such as language citizenship tests. Her recent books include: The Languages of Israel: Policy Ideology and Practice (with Bernard Spolsky, 1999; Multilingual Matters); The Power of Tests (2001, Longman/Pearson) and Language Policy: Hidden Agendas and New Approaches (2006, Routledge). She is currently the editor of the journal Language Policy.