Change of Language Attitude in Language Conflict

Abstract

ABSTRACT

A by-product of multilingualism, language conflict is a thorny problem that may induce tragic consequences. Solving it is a major concern in language planning and management. This dissertation attempts to present a potential solution to language conflict problems: alteration of negative language attitude by direct intervention on its cognitive component. Based on the assumption that negative language attitudes are at the core of any language conflict, it was hypothesised that exposure to rational literature favourable to language diversity would lead to a change of language attitude by making it less negative. A quasi-experiment was designed to test that hypothesis in a multilingual setting province in the west of Algeria. The results revealed that the change of negative attitude was possible through that procedure. These findings can encourage giving more consideration to change of language attitudes as a feasible means in the management of language conflicts and the prevention of their tragic consequences.

Language conflict is one of the most salient characteristics of multilingualism in the world. The speech communities’ negative attitudes and stereotypes regarding other languages and varieties are fundamental factors in language conflicts. Although many researchers have focused on investigating the problem of language attitude, there is a lack of emphasis on the topic of language attitude change and its beneficial impact in easing such conflicts. The present research attempts to address such a topic as a contribution in the language management studies and also as an attempt to investigate this topic to find any possibility of changing negative language attitude through challenging the cognitive component of language attitude by exposing it to some input which is favourable to language diversity.Résumé

Le conflit linguistique est une conséquence de la diversité linguistique qui peut induire des effets tragiques. Trouver des solution pour les conflits linguistiques est l’un des objectifs du planning et gestion des langues. Cette recherche essaye de présenter une solution qui peut aider a atténuer les effets néfastes des conflits linguistiques : le changement des attitudes langagières négatives par l’intervention sur l’élément cognitive. Les attitudes langagières négatives sont a la base du conflit linguistique. L’hypothèse dans cet recherche est que l’exposition a une littérature rationnelle favorable a la diversité langagière peut mener au changement des attitudes langagières négatives. Les résultats d’une expérience faite dans une région multilingues a l’ouest d’Algérie pour vérifier cet hypothèse montrent q’on peut changer les attitudes langagières négatives par cet méthode. Ces résultat peuvent encourager a donner plus de considération au changement des attitudes langagières pour gérer les conflits linguistiques et prévenir leur conséquences tragiques.