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Why Language Matters : Inequality Perceptions among the Sámi in Sweden and Norway

Lloyd-Smith, Anika ; Bergmann, Fabian ; Sapir, Yair ; Yasar, Rusen and Kupisch, Tanja LU (2023) In Policy Papers of the Cluster “The Politics of Inequality”
Abstract
Every two weeks, one of the world’s estimated 7,000 languages dies. Yet what are the consequences of having to give up one’s native language? Speakers of minority languages worldwide face barriers to using their languages outside their homes, often with negative consequences for educational and economic success. A new survey of the Indigenous Sámi in Sweden and Norway suggests that language policies are key to perceptions of inequality. Speakers of the Sámi languages have lower perceptions of their societal standing than Sámi who have given up the language. Combined with insights from an in-depth study on Sámi language education, our findings suggest that policies should facilitate language maintenance in linguistic minorities. Supporting... (More)
Every two weeks, one of the world’s estimated 7,000 languages dies. Yet what are the consequences of having to give up one’s native language? Speakers of minority languages worldwide face barriers to using their languages outside their homes, often with negative consequences for educational and economic success. A new survey of the Indigenous Sámi in Sweden and Norway suggests that language policies are key to perceptions of inequality. Speakers of the Sámi languages have lower perceptions of their societal standing than Sámi who have given up the language. Combined with insights from an in-depth study on Sámi language education, our findings suggest that policies should facilitate language maintenance in linguistic minorities. Supporting these languages may help to reduce feelings of discrimination. (Less)
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publishing date
type
Book/Report
publication status
published
subject
categories
Popular Science
in
Policy Papers of the Cluster “The Politics of Inequality”
pages
11 pages
publisher
University of Konstanz
report number
11
language
English
LU publication?
no
id
5ed1bc88-f1f6-4fe0-85db-d1d78e7d8727
date added to LUP
2024-11-24 22:12:55
date last changed
2025-04-04 14:07:44
@techreport{5ed1bc88-f1f6-4fe0-85db-d1d78e7d8727,
  abstract     = {{Every two weeks, one of the world’s estimated 7,000 languages dies. Yet what are the consequences of having to give up one’s native language? Speakers of minority languages worldwide face barriers to using their languages outside their homes, often with negative consequences for educational and economic success. A new survey of the Indigenous Sámi in Sweden and Norway suggests that language policies are key to perceptions of inequality. Speakers of the Sámi languages have lower perceptions of their societal standing than Sámi who have given up the language. Combined with insights from an in-depth study on Sámi language education, our findings suggest that policies should facilitate language maintenance in linguistic minorities. Supporting these languages may help to reduce feelings of discrimination.}},
  author       = {{Lloyd-Smith, Anika and Bergmann, Fabian and Sapir, Yair and Yasar, Rusen and Kupisch, Tanja}},
  institution  = {{University of Konstanz}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{11}},
  series       = {{Policy Papers of the Cluster “The Politics of Inequality”}},
  title        = {{Why Language Matters : Inequality Perceptions among the Sámi in Sweden and Norway}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/201030923/Policy_Paper_11_LloydSmith_EN.pdf}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}