Increased mobility of people across territories has altered the linguistic make-up of Europe, while rapid developments in AI and other digital technology have revolutionised the way people communicate. However, EU language policy has been slow to respond to the pace of these changes. Our challenge in an increasingly diverse, digital and multilingual Europe is to reform language policy to shape a future for young people which is inclusive, democratic and equitable. We will address this challenge by providing policy makers with comprehensive evidence of the communicative practices and language ideologies of young people in Europe.

In this multi-site, team ethnographic research project we are observing the communicative practices of young people in contexts where speakers are concerned with language endangerment (Norway, Switzerland), where people are investing in revitalisation of languages (Spain: Galicia, Catalunya), and where the prevalence of migrant languages renders multilingualism the norm (Germany, Italy). By conducting ethnographic observation in Barcelona, Berlin, Lucerne, Oslo, Santiago de Compostela, and Turin we will gain a comprehensive knowledge of the everyday languaging practices of young people.

We will examine young people’s use of language in digital, creative and everyday contexts in six cities in five countries, and elicit their perspectives on language, identities, heritage, belonging and investment. The project will equip policy makers with the evidence necessary to introduce equitable, inclusive language policy fit for the digital, multilingual age.

The research project is led by Professor Angela Creese at University of Warwick, and is a collaboration with University of Oslo, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Albert-Ludwigs-Universitaet Freiburg, University of Turin, University of Glasgow, Jyväskylä University and University of Limerick.