Overview

In Europe and throughout the world, competence in English is spreading at a speed never achieved by any language in human history. This apparently irresistible growing dominance of English is frequently perceived and sometimes indignantly denounced as being grossly unjust. Linguistic Justice for Europe and for the World starts off arguing that the dissemination of competence in a common lingua franca is a process to be welcomed and accelerated, most fundamentally because it provides the the struggle for greater justice with an essential weapon: a cheap medium of cross-border communication and mobilization.However, the resulting linguistic situation is arguably unjust in three distinct senses. Firstly, the adoption of one natural language as the lingua franca implies that its native speakers are getting a free ride by benefiting costlessly from the learning effort of others. Secondly, Anglophones gain greater opportunities as a result of competence in their native language becoming a more valuable asset. Thirdly, the privilege given to one language failes to show equal respect for the various langauges with which different portions of the population concerned identify.The book spells out the corresponding interpretations of linguistic justice as cooperative justice, distributive justice, and parity of esteem. It discusses a wide range of policies that might help achieve linguistic justice in these three senses, from a linguistic tax on Anglophone countries to the banning of dubbing or the linguistic territoriality principle. It also argues that linguistic diversity, though not valuable in itself, will nonetheless need to be protected as a by-product of the pursuit of linguistic justice as parity of esteem.

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9780198732457

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This book...is of very high relevance for business, because it reflects critically about the development of using English as Europeas lingua franca on almost each and everylevel of social interaction. Overall, the book is engaging and well written, and represents an insightful and dispassionate foray into a domain in which, as Van Parijs notes in his introduction, 'emotion often rules unbridled'. It is a welcome addition to the growing philosophical literature on language rights, and should be considered essential reading for theorists working in this field. * Matt Watson, Journal of Multilingual & Multicultural Development * Aside from addressing a phenomenon the spread of English as a lingua franca that is increasingly global in scope, the questions of justice that Van Parijs raises are ones that not only political theorists but also governments of all nationalities should attend to. He also manages to provide a comprehensive theory of linguistic justice something that few others have so far attempted along with a rich and often illuminating factual discussion of how the use of English continues to spread, and how individuals' different native linguistic competencies mean that the benefits of this growth are enjoyed asymmetrically.[continued below]

`Review from previous edition [This book] provides a broad yet incisive look at one of the most pressing issues of justice for the modern world. It is packed full of original and creative thought, and manages to successfully combine a comprehensive theoretical approach with a focus on practical issues and solutions. As such it will be a valuable and insightful resource for anybody with even the vaguest interest in the subject, and is sure to spark further debate as to what the requirements and entailments of linguistic justice should be.' Michael Jewkes, Ethical Perspectives `Excellent analysis of a practice that, not unlike religion, cannot be treated neutrally.' E. R. Gill, CHOICE `Van Parijs' book is a welcome addition to the literature. It brings to an anglophone readership a focus on a much-neglected subject, the issue of linguistic justice, and it explains the reactions of those who are in a disadvantaged position. It may contribute to puncturing the complacent egotism of English native speakers. It may help to convince anti-English lobbies that there are also positive spin-offs from linguistic globalisation. And, finally, it will provide those committed to promoting a transnational arena for deliberation and mobilisation with a fund of argument and evidence from which to draw as they develop their case.' Sue Wright, Times Higher Education `Appropriate regard for linguistic identity requires that public institutions be designed with a view to achieving certain outcomes [...] The most impressive attempt to show that language is special in this sense can be found in Philippe Van Parijs's recent book, Linguistic Justice for Europe and the World. ' Alan Patten, Equal Recognition, Princeton University Press. `What makes his argument really exciting is the author's ingenuity in fleshing out institutional arrangements and public policies that could support linguistic justice in all three senses.' Rainer Bauboeck, Critical Review of Social and Political Philosophy `What is particularly fascinating in Van Parijs's project is his treatment of how we might justly transition to a future global egalitarian arrangement. He distinguishes himself from other cosmopolitans by offering us a much more systematic attempt to theorize the moral challenges that are raised by his theory's implementation.' Anna Stiltz, Critical Review of Social and Political Philosophy `It is demonstrably clear that Linguistic Justice is an important, sophisticated and useful contribution to questions of language, inclusion and mobility, particularly in a globalized world dominated by English.' Stephen May, Critical Review of Social and Political Philosophy

Review from previous edition [This book] provides a broad yet incisive look at one of the most pressing issues of justice for the modern world. It is packed full of original and creative thought, and manages to successfully combine a comprehensive theoretical approach with a focus on practical issues and solutions. As such it will be a valuable and insightful resource for anybody with even the vaguest interest in the subject, and is sure to spark further debate as to what the requirements and entailments of linguistic justice should be. Michael Jewkes, Ethical Perspectives Excellent analysis of a practice that, not unlike religion, cannot be treated neutrally. E. R. Gill, CHOICE Van Parijs' book is a welcome addition to the literature. It brings to an anglophone readership a focus on a much-neglected subject, the issue of linguistic justice, and it explains the reactions of those who are in a disadvantaged position. It may contribute to puncturing the complacent egotism of English native speakers. It may help to convince anti-English lobbies that there are also positive spin-offs from linguistic globalisation. And, finally, it will provide those committed to promoting a transnational arena for deliberation and mobilisation with a fund of argument and evidence from which to draw as they develop their case. Sue Wright, Times Higher Education Appropriate regard for linguistic identity requires that public institutions be designed with a view to achieving certain outcomes [...] The most impressive attempt to show that language is special in this sense can be found in Philippe Van Parijs's recent book, Linguistic Justice for Europe and the World. Alan Patten, Equal Recognition, Princeton University Press. What makes his argument really exciting is the author's ingenuity in fleshing out institutional arrangements and public policies that could support linguistic justice in all three senses. Rainer Baubock, Critical Review of Social and Political Philosophy What is particularly fascinating in Van Parijs's project is his treatment of how we might justly transition to a future global egalitarian arrangement. He distinguishes himself from other cosmopolitans by offering us a much more systematic attempt to theorize the moral challenges that are raised by his theory's implementation. Anna Stiltz, Critical Review of Social and Political Philosophy It is demonstrably clear that Linguistic Justice is an important, sophisticated and useful contribution to questions of language, inclusion and mobility, particularly in a globalized world dominated by English. Stephen May, Critical Review of Social and Political Philosophy

Aside from addressing a phenomenon the spread of English as a lingua franca that is increasingly global in scope, the questions of justice that Van Parijs raises are ones that not only political theorists but also governments of all nationalities should attend to. He also manages to provide a comprehensive theory of linguistic justice something that few others have so far attempted along with a rich and often illuminating factual discussion of how the use of English continues to spread, and how individuals' different native linguistic competencies mean that the benefits of this growth are enjoyed asymmetrically.[continued below] Overall, the book is engaging and well written, and represents an insightful and dispassionate foray into a domain in which, as Van Parijs notes in his introduction, 'emotion often rules unbridled'. It is a welcome addition to the growing philosophical literature on language rights, and should be considered essential reading for theorists working in this field. Matt Watson, Journal of Multilingual & Multicultural Development

Author Information

Philippe Van Parijs is Professor at the University of Louvain, Hoover Chair of Economic and Social Ethics, and Senior Research Fellow at Nuffield College, Oxford.

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