Bookreview:

Linguistic Genocide in Education - Or Worldwide Diversity and Human Rights

reviewed by Constanze Schellhaas

Tove Skutnabb-Kangas: "Linguistic Genocide in Education or Worldwide Diversity and Human Rights?”. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Mahwah 2000.

Linguistic diversity is disappearing. In her multidisciplinary, new book Tove Skutnabb-Kangas, one of the leading scholars of linguistic human rights, shows how most minority education contributes to linguistic genocide according to the United Nations’ definition.

In part one the author describes the present situation of the world’s languages and the links between cultural diversity and biodiversity as not only correlational but even causal. After analysing central concepts the author discusses the benefits and drawbacks of linguistic diversity and analyses the ideology of monolingual reductionism.

In part two linguistic genocide is investigated at a societal level. Analysing state policies and globalisation the author dismantles claims that "in order to form a nation or state you have to have a language” and discusses the place of language within the power structure. She claims that the education of most minorities is designed in such a way that the usual result is monolingualism or dominance of one language.

Part three is focusing on the struggle against linguistic genocide and for linguistic human rights. It shows how formal education should be organised to lead to high levels of bilingualism or of multilangualism for both minorities and majorities, and in order to respect linguistic human rights.

The author concludes with a call for ‘civic pluralism’ where access to power is available to all persons. This will be accomplished when "the state and educational authorities stop being a problem, maintenance programs become a natural human right, and minority languages a resource”.

The author combines theory with a wealth of information. In addition to the very detailed outlines at the beginning of each chapter, the book includes a lot of additional information: definitions, addresses and inserts. Although it is a lengthy work it is written in an engaging style, captures the domain from many angels and is reviewed as one of the best and most complete works in linguistic diversity.

Index: Podium

Language Learning, Tolerance and Human Rights
by K. Hugh Starkey

Sub Group "Tolerance Reports"
by Valerie Morgan

Sub Group "Language and Democracy"
by Michael Seberich

Sub Group "Evaluation"
by Katrin Uhl

Portrait
Participa: a Chilean NGO

Case Study: Citizenship and Education in 28 Countries
reviewed by Katrin Uhl

"Linguistic Genocide in Education"
reviewed by Constanze Schellhaas

Carl Bertelsmann Prize
by Sabine Donner