Language transmission in the family in Wales: an example of innovative language planning.

Edwards, V. and Newcombe, L. (2005) Language transmission in the family in Wales: an example of innovative language planning. Language problems and language planning, 29 (2). pp. 135-150. ISSN 0272-2690 doi: 10.1075/lplp.29.2.03edw

Abstract/Summary

This paper examines the achievements to date of Twf (“Growth”) — a project initiated as part of language planning efforts in Wales to encourage families to bring up their children to be bilingual. Evidence is presented of the ways in which the project has succeeded in raising awareness of the advantages of bilingualism amongst parents, prospective parents and the public at large by working strategically with health professionals and Early Years organizations, and by developing a range of highly innovative promotional materials. Given the central importance of the family as a site of intergenerational language transmission, the achievements of this project are likely to be of interest to those concerned with language planning in other minority communities in many other parts of the world. The lessons for language planning both in Wales and in other settings are discussed.