scholarly journals Banknoten als sprachenpolitisches Instrument

2015 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Proell

For modern states, multilingualism is not an exception, but the norm. Most states explicitly deal with the status of their languages through their (often rather sparse) legislation, while implicitly reflecting their policy through language use on official documents. Banknotes provide a link between the official policy and its common application, as they are both a document of the state as well as an object of daily use. Here, the state is responsible for bridging the gap between legislature, national identity and the (sometimes conflicting) selfconceptions of its citizens. Thus, banknotes ideally provide evidence on a state’s factual (rather than nominal) language policy. In addition, the textual and pragmatic functions of banknotes are not prone to change over time, which qualifies them as excellent sources for diachronic questions. This article exemplarily illustrates the language policies of Norway, the Faroe Islands, Belgium and Luxembourg, as seen from a sociohistorical perspective, with their respective note emissions during their newer language history (19th and 20th centuries). It closes with a proposal for a typology of different language policies.

2009 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 564-602
Author(s):  
Dan Ernst

The Article argues for a new assessment of the significance of Israel's Law of Return—that the Law of Return reflects not the sovereign prerogative of a state to control immigration, but the right of every Jew to settle in the Land of Israel. This understanding of the Law of Return explains why Section 4 proclaims that as far as the Law is concerned, the status of Jews born within the State of Israel is the same as those arriving to Israel from abroad. Resolving the anomaly of Section 4 dispels several misinterpretations of the Law of Return and the critiques of the Law which grow out of these misinterpretations. The Article also surveys and answers several liberal objections to Israel's policy of granting preference in immigration and naturalization based on ethno-national identity and presents an argument, for giving priority to Jewish immigration and naturalization based on the extra benefits (religious, political, and communal) that Jews receive from such immigration and naturalization. Finally, it is submitted that the State of Israel has an obligation of justice to admit Jews into the state as full citizens upon their demand, since this was a reasonable expectation of those in past generations who had contributed to the existence and maintenance of the state.


Author(s):  
Julie Auger ◽  
Anne-José Villeneuve

AbstractWe argue that an evaluation of morphosyntactic convergence between Picard and French must consider multiple variables, comparing rates of (co-)occurrence of Picard-like and French-like variants and linguistic constraints across the two varieties. Contemporary oral data from interviews with Picard–French bilinguals and French monolinguals were analyzed and contrasted with older Picard data. While future temporal reference in Picard and in French appear similar based on frequency, linguistic conditioning reveals differences across varieties and over time. Auxiliary selection displays clearer Picard–French distinctions, especially when considering the effect of linguistic factors. The intersection of variables shows that the differences between Picard and French are qualitative and not simply quantitative. In the context of the debate over the status of Northern France's obsolescent varieties, we provide empirical evidence for a mental grammar in Picard distinct from that of French, and show the relevance of comparative sociolinguistics for language planning.


2007 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 266-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Hudson

In many countries, there have been changes in the way in which education is governed, with greater fragmentation of responsibility between the state, local government, schools, individuals and the market often accompanied by a move from detailed regulation to framework legislation. Previously, these developments have been seen as part of the move from government to governance whereby the state is forced to step back and allow other interests to play a role. However, in recent years more subtle theories of governance have been developed which argue that, rather than retreating, the state is adapting to changing circumstances and finding new ways of governing. The importance of education not only in terms of creating and maintaining national identity but also for economic development suggests that this is an area from which the state will not willingly abdicate its role. This article suggests that support for the new governance theories can be found in the field of education. It argues that the growth in the attempts to control educational outputs through, for example, demands for quality controls, standardized testing, evaluations and so on and the introduction of national bodies responsible for carrying out these controls can be interpreted as a sign that the state, far from relinquishing its role, is finding other ways of controlling education. A comparative approach is adopted and these ideas are explored in relation to education systems in the Nordic and British countries. The article draws on a qualitative analysis of official policy documents, legislation and official statements concerning education in the respective countries.


Author(s):  
Selim Ben-Said

Taking effect immediately following Tunisia’s independence, Arabization has achieved mixed results with Arabic institutionally empowered but still competing with French. In fact, when examining the linguistic landscape, this monolingual policy is flouted both in terms of the bilingual Arabic-French Street signage but also challenged by people’s preferences. This paper examines inconsistencies between Arabic as the ‘language of the state’ (government-decreed), and the omnipresence of other ‘languages in the state’ (observed in representation and practice) in Tunisia. Street signage artefacts and attitudinal data also illustrate how language policies are responded to and experienced by Tunisians. Data consists of different types of private inscriptions and public signs, governmental decrees, as well as attitudinal surveys and interviews. The juxtaposition of urban signs with the official policy on multilingualism provides an illustrative account of the complexities of the linguistic situation in Tunisia, which blends top-down advocacies of Arabization, ambivalent attitudes to Arabic-French Bilingualism, as well as a growing interest in English as the emergent language of globalization.


2013 ◽  
pp. 1452-1467
Author(s):  
Steve Russell

Project management can be improved using modern interfaces that more naturally show work situations. Employees have deep real world knowledge that can be exploited, and a sense of common purpose among team members that can be enhanced. But, project efforts are currently guided only with structured charts and diagrams that show participants the state of their team’s work activities. These charting tools have become more colorful and visually clear over time to reduce any uncertainty regarding task assignments, interdependencies, and any important schedule delays. However, a three dimensional environment extends the range of vision dramatically. Any team member can see what is currently being developed, the status of the process, and any pertinent actions needing focus, all in persistent and prominent wall displays. Discussions among remote collaborators are facilitated, focused on common views of pressing circumstances. Knowledge retention and transfer is more robust, and is illustrated in more compelling contexts keyed to current work activities. The immediacy of three dimensional world immersion will allow even forgetful workers to see at a glance the state of their contribution as well as the completion progress of those upon whom they depend.


Author(s):  
Heller Kevin ◽  
Mégret Frédéric ◽  
Nouwen Sarah ◽  
Ohlin Jens ◽  
Robinson Darryl

This introductory chapter considers the state of contemporary international criminal law (ICL). It shows that, on some level, ICL is merely a technique for criminalizing the violation of certain norms and may not have much of a comprehensive project of its own. Indeed, over time ICL has been associated with a variety of substantive projects, such as fighting terrorism, protecting peace, and punishing atrocities. It is impossible, moreover, to discuss ICL without discussing international criminal justice more generally. Furthermore, although ICL has edged ever further towards completeness, tremendous disagreement persists about not just the discipline’s norms, but even its very founding assumptions. The growing implementation of ICL has generated countless dilemmas of its own, after all. In fact, one might even argue that the status of ICL has become more uncertain following, and perhaps as a result of, the proliferation of opportunities—international and domestic—to enforce its normative promise through liberal-legal judicial mechanisms.


Author(s):  
Steve Russell

Project management can be improved using modern interfaces that more naturally show work situations. Employees have deep real world knowledge that can be exploited, and a sense of common purpose among team members that can be enhanced. But, project efforts are currently guided only with structured charts and diagrams that show participants the state of their team’s work activities. These charting tools have become more colorful and visually clear over time to reduce any uncertainty regarding task assignments, interdependencies, and any important schedule delays. However, a three dimensional environment extends the range of vision dramatically. Any team member can see what is currently being developed, the status of the process, and any pertinent actions needing focus, all in persistent and prominent wall displays. Discussions among remote collaborators are facilitated, focused on common views of pressing circumstances. Knowledge retention and transfer is more robust, and is illustrated in more compelling contexts keyed to current work activities. The immediacy of three dimensional world immersion will allow even forgetful workers to see at a glance the state of their contribution as well as the completion progress of those upon whom they depend.


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 15-22
Author(s):  
Navneet Gidda

In this paper, I will argue that the Canadian Parliamentary system has become significantly less democratic over time and therefore requires reform. Specifically, I will focus on the Senate and the ways in which the institution has had a negative impact on the state of Canadian democracy. Through an analysis of how Senators are selected, the make up of the Senate, and the institution’s role in Canadian governance, I come to the conclusion that Canadians must demand reform if they are to maintain a strong, healthy democracy that serves their interests. Mainly, I support a Triple E Senatorial system since it gets at the root of the problem by decentralizing federal power and giving it to the provinces and Canadian people. I also include a brief discussion of Justin Trudeau’s plan for the Senate which proposes more immediate reform and does not require constitutional revision. Rather than demanding abolition or tolerating the status quo, taking these steps towards reform will ensure that Canadian interests are the government’s top priority. Through reform, Canadians would have more effective “sober second thought” and a democracy that works for the people, not the party in power.


Author(s):  
Larysa Bodnar ◽  
Petro Koval ◽  
Sergii Stepanov ◽  
Liudmyla Panibratets

A significant part of Ukrainian bridges on public roads is operated for more than 30 years (94 %). At the same time, the traffic volume and the weight of vehicles has increased significantly. Insufficient level of bridges maintenance funding leads to the deterioration of their technical state. The ways to ensure reliable and safe operation of bridges are considered. The procedure for determining the predicted operational status of the elements and the bridge in general, which has a scientific novelty, is proposed. In the software complex, Analytical Expert Bridges Management System (AESUM), is a function that allows tracking the changes in the operational status of bridges both in Ukraine and in each region separately. The given algorithm of the procedure for determining the predicted state of the bridge using a degradation model is described using the Nassie-Schneidermann diagram. The model of the degradation of the bridge performance which is adopted in Ukraine as a normative one, and the algorithm for its adaptation to the AESUM program complex with the function to ensure the probabilistic predicted operating condition of the bridges in the automatic mode is presented. This makes it possible, even in case of unsatisfactory performance of surveys, to have the predicted lifetime of bridges at the required time. For each bridge element it is possible to determine the residual time of operation that will allow predict the state of the elements of the structure for a certain period of time in the future. Significant interest for specialists calls for the approaches to the development of orientated perspective plans for bridge inspection and monitoring of changes in the operational status of bridges for 2009-2018 in Ukraine. For the analysis of the state of the bridge economy, the information is available on the distribution of bridges by operating state related to the administrative significance of roads, by road categories and by materials of the structures. Determining the operating state of the bridge is an important condition for making the qualified decisions as regards its maintenance. The Analytical Expert Bridges Management System (AESUM) which is implemented in Ukraine, stores the data on the monitoring the status of bridges and performs the necessary procedures to maintain them in a reliable and safe operating condition. An important result of the work is the ability to determine the distribution of bridges on the public roads of Ukraine, according to operating conditions established in the program complex of AESUM, which is presented in accordance with the data of the current year. In conditions of limited funding and in case of unsatisfactory performance of surveys, it is possible to make the reasonable management decisions regarding the repair and the reconstruction of bridges. Keywords: bridge management system, operating condition, predicted operating condition, model of degradation, bridge survey plan, highway bridge.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Sarmistha R. Majumdar

Fracking has helped to usher in an era of energy abundance in the United States. This advanced drilling procedure has helped the nation to attain the status of the largest producer of crude oil and natural gas in the world, but some of its negative externalities, such as human-induced seismicity, can no longer be ignored. The occurrence of earthquakes in communities located at proximity to disposal wells with no prior history of seismicity has shocked residents and have caused damages to properties. It has evoked individuals’ resentment against the practice of injection of fracking’s wastewater under pressure into underground disposal wells. Though the oil and gas companies have denied the existence of a link between such a practice and earthquakes and the local and state governments have delayed their responses to the unforeseen seismic events, the issue has gained in prominence among researchers, affected community residents, and the media. This case study has offered a glimpse into the varied responses of stakeholders to human-induced seismicity in a small city in the state of Texas. It is evident from this case study that although individuals’ complaints and protests from a small community may not be successful in bringing about statewide changes in regulatory policies on disposal of fracking’s wastewater, they can add to the public pressure on the state government to do something to address the problem in a state that supports fracking.


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