Invention of Multilingualism

Multilingualism is a complex concept that encompasses the ways in which people use multiple languages to communicate and create meaning. It is influenced by social, economic, and political factors and is shaped by a range of experiences and ideas. This book explores the multifaceted nature of multilingualism and its potential to promote understanding and inclusivity across different cultures and communities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 17 June 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Multilingualism is a profound and expansive concept that delves into the intricate tapestry of human meaning-making practices. It holds immense promise, navigating a tumultuous present, while also presenting opportunities for growth and improvement in research and public discourse. In this insightful book, David Gramling offers fresh perspectives on the ever-evolving realm of multilingualism, unveiling its profound social, economic, and political discourses. On the one hand, multilingualism faces the relentless demands of emerging global supply chains, profit margins, and supranational unions, while on the other, it grapples with the need to accommodate alternative perspectives on linguistic practice, such as translanguaging.

Through its pages, the book demonstrates the remarkable capacity of multilingualism to embrace diverse, conflicting, and sometimes opposing experiences and ideas across a wide spectrum of planetary contexts. Whether in the realm of fiction or reality, politics or society, North or South, colonial or decolonial, individual or collective, oppressive or liberatory, embodied or prosthetic, present or past, multilingualism serves as a versatile framework that accommodates a rich tapestry of human expressions.

This book is a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding the complexities and dynamics of multilingualism in today's world. It sheds light on the ways in which languages intersect, influence, and shape our lives, offering valuable insights into the social, economic, and political dimensions of language use. By exploring the multifaceted nature of multilingualism, this book contributes to our understanding of the human experience and fosters a deeper appreciation for the diverse tapestry of languages and cultures that enrich our world.

Weight: 358g
Dimension: 138 x 217 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108748384