Models of language revitalisation around the world: processes and outcomes

Abstract Around the world, people are shifting from smaller, minority languages to dominant, majority ones. Not only does this represent a significant loss of linguistic diversity, but it also has detrimental impact on the populations concerned – through causes as well as effects. Members of communities such as the Isle of Man have promoted language revitalisation as their preferred response to language shift. There is increasing interest in language revitalisation as a contributor to individual and group wellbeing and empowerment. This paper relates trends and examples around the world to the case of Manx, based on research conducted in the Isle of Man since 2008. I look at examples of processes and outcomes from around the world, including what kinds of activities are promoted, and how we might evaluate their outcomes or even success. I am particularly interested in stated and unstated goals and how they relate to outcomes – both intended and unintended. I look at what kinds of ideologies of language and society are revealed by examining the processes and discourses involved.