Language and Politics in the United States and Canada

Explores parallel and divergent developments in language policy and language rights in the U.S. and Canada, especially the past 4 decades, as a basis for reflection on what can be learned from one country's experience by the other.

Thomas K. Ricento, Barbara Burnaby

Contents: Preface. C.H. Williams, Introduction: Respecting the Citizens--Reflections on Language Policy in Canada and the United States. Part I: Overviews.R. Schmidt, The Politics of Language in Canada and the United States: Explaining the Differences. R. Beaujot, Demographic Considerations in Canada Language Policy. T. Ricento, National Language Policy in the United States. Part II: Forgotten Tongues: Indigenous Languages in North America.M. Fettes, Life on the Edge: Canada's Aboriginal Languages Under Official Bilingualism. J. Crawford, Endangered Native American Languages: What Is to Be Done, and Why? Part III: Legal Implications of Official Language Policies.S. Miner, Legal Implications of the Official English Declaration. J.E. Magnet, Language Rights Theory in Canadian Perspective. Part IV: Educational Perspectives.T.G. Wiley, The Imposition of World War I Era English-Only Policies and the Fate of German in North America. B. Burnaby, ESL Policy in Canada and the United States: Basis for Comparison. Part V: Focus on Context.D. Cartwright, French-Language Services in Ontario: A Policy of "Overly Prudent Gradualism?" C. Veltman, Quebec, Canada, and the United States: Social Reality and Language Rights. T. Ricento, Partitioning by Language: Whose Rights Are Threatened? B. Burnaby, T. Ricento, Conclusion: Myths and Realities.