Language Advocacy and ‘Conquest’ Diglossia in the ‘Anglophone’ Caribbean
In: The Politics of English as a World LanguageSearch for other papers by Hubert Devonish in
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Abstract
The linguist in the role of language rights advocate can rarely function simply as a technician or as a detached and objective expert. Yet, when invited to participate in discussions about language-related policy by institutions of the state, linguists are being brought in for precisely what is perceived as detached technical expertise. At least, that is usually the official stated position of those appealing to the linguist’s help. This essay represents an attempt at retrospective reflection on the two pieces of language advocacy involving Caribbean English-lexicon creole languages that I have been involved in. It tries to cover the theoretical perspective that informed the interventions, the political and social issues at stake and the way in which the desire for a particular outcome fashioned the nature of these interventions.