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 diverse multilingual contexts across Europe, including contexts where speakers are concerned with language endangerment (Norway, Switzerland), where people are investing in the revitalisation of languages (Spain: Galicia, Catalunya), where the prevalence of migrant languages renders multilingualism the norm (Germany, Italy), and where multilingual practices are shaped by intercultural encounters in Eastern Europe (Romania). By conducting ethnographic observation in Barcelona, Berlin, Lucerne, Oslo, Santiago de Compostela, Turin, and Târgu Mureș/Marosvásárhely, 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 seven cities in six 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 the University of Warwick, and is a collaboration with the University of Oslo, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, the University of Turin, the University of Glasgow, the University of Jyväskylä, the University of Limerick, Pädagogische Hochschule Luzern, and ELTE Eötvös Loránd University.
Abstract
Methodology
Key terms
Our research design is framed as Linguistic Ethnography. Linguistic Ethnography enables us to study young people’s communicative practices over time, across contexts, and to view them from the young people’s own perspective. Our approach to recording and analysing linguistic and semiotic material is the foundation on which we will build recommendations for inclusive, equitable language policy in Europe.
Methods
Research methods for data collection in the seven Linguistic Ethnographic Case Studies will include: participant observation; writing field notes; audio-recording and transcription; interviewing; collecting digital material; collecting documentary material; video-recording; and photographs. We will add to these core approaches additional research methods for specific purposes, including: researcher diaries; co-production; mediagrams; questionnaires; citizen science; focus groups; arts-based research; participatory photographs.
kieli tullee minule
mutta ei niin ko vesi
jannoovalle
ei niin ko jääkylmä puro
pallaavalle suule
språket kommer til meg
men ikke slik som vann
til en som tørster
ikke slik som en isende bekk
til en brennende munn
Repovuosi // Reveår (2025)
M. Seppola Simonsen
MultiLX 