Speech and the City: Multilingualism, Decoloniality and the Civic University (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781108485708)

The Brexit debate has been accompanied by a rise in hostile attitudes to multilingualism. However, cities can provide an important counter-weight to political polarisation by forging civic identities that embrace diversity. In this timely book, Yaron Matras describes the emergence of a city language narrative that embraces and celebrates multilingualism and helps forge a civic identity. He critiques linguaphobic discourses at a national level that regard multilingualism as deficient citizenship. Drawing on his research in Manchester, he examines the 'multilingual utopia', looking at multilingual spaces across sectors in the city that support access, heritage, skills and celebration. The book explores the tensions between decolonial approaches that inspire activism for social justice and equality, and the neoliberal enterprise that appropriates diversity for reputational and profitability purposes, prompting critical reflection on calls for civic university engagement. It is essential reading for anyone concerned about ways to protect cultural pluralism in our society.

Author: Yaron Matras
ISBN-10: 1108485707
ISBN-13: 9781108485708
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Language: English
Published: 05/30/2024
Pages: 188
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 0.94lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.50d