An introduction to language attitudes research

TY - CHAP

T1 - An introduction to language attitudes research

AU - Kircher, Ruth

AU - Zipp, Lena

PY - 2022

Y1 - 2022

N2 - By providing an introduction to language attitude theory, this chapter serves as a reference point for the subsequent chapters. The chapter begins by considering attitudes in general (their formation, functions, and components) before focusing specifically on language attitudes. The chapter examines the link between language and social identity, the notion of language attitudes as reflections of social mores and the related issue of language attitude change, and the difference between (and inter-relatedness of) language attitudes and ideologies. The chapter then discusses the implications and consequences of language attitudes at the micro- as well as macro-level. Subsequently, the chapter covers the key individual and socio-structural factors that influence language attitudes, and it discusses the evaluative dimensions of language attitudes (and how they are connected with the aforementioned socio-structural factors). The chapter introduces the three types of methods by means of which language attitudes can be investigated – i.e. the analysis of the societal treatment of language, direct methods, and indirect methods – and the key overarching issues in language attitudes research which are covered in the book (i.e. regarding different community types, different data types, priming, and mixed-methods approaches). The aims of the book, and its structure and contents, are explained.

AB - By providing an introduction to language attitude theory, this chapter serves as a reference point for the subsequent chapters. The chapter begins by considering attitudes in general (their formation, functions, and components) before focusing specifically on language attitudes. The chapter examines the link between language and social identity, the notion of language attitudes as reflections of social mores and the related issue of language attitude change, and the difference between (and inter-relatedness of) language attitudes and ideologies. The chapter then discusses the implications and consequences of language attitudes at the micro- as well as macro-level. Subsequently, the chapter covers the key individual and socio-structural factors that influence language attitudes, and it discusses the evaluative dimensions of language attitudes (and how they are connected with the aforementioned socio-structural factors). The chapter introduces the three types of methods by means of which language attitudes can be investigated – i.e. the analysis of the societal treatment of language, direct methods, and indirect methods – and the key overarching issues in language attitudes research which are covered in the book (i.e. regarding different community types, different data types, priming, and mixed-methods approaches). The aims of the book, and its structure and contents, are explained.

KW - Language attitudes, research methods

KW - language attitudes

KW - research methods

KW - qualitative data

KW - quantitative data

KW - mixed-methods research

KW - language contact

KW - multilingualism

KW - minority languages

KW - direct methods of attitude elicitation

KW - indirect methods of attitude elicitation

KW - content analysis of the societal treatment of languages

KW - language attitude theory

U2 - 10.1017/9781108867788.002

DO - 10.1017/9781108867788.002

M3 - Chapter

SN - 9781108867788

SP - 1

EP - 16

BT - Research Methods in Language Attitudes

A2 - Kircher, Ruth

A2 - Zipp, Lena

PB - Cambridge University Press

ER -