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Elaboration of function: It means that the chosen variety is used in all the
functions associated with central government and with writing: for example,
in parliament and law courts, educational and scientific documents and of
course in various forms of literature.
Acceptance: The last step is important in the sense that once a variety is
accepted as a national language it serves as a strong unifying force for the
state, as a symbol of its independence.
Nation State: A group of people with the same culture, language etc. who have
formed an independent country.
Northern Ireland would argue that they are religiously and culturally so different
from the four million Irish citizens that unification is unthinkable.
Language: The language that people speak has been a strong force for the
creation of nations. France, Germany and Italy are large, prosperous states
that are defined in the main by language. Brazil is defined in part by its use of
the Portuguese language, the only Latin American country to use the
language. When people in different states speak the same language such as
Romania and Moldova, Albania and Kosovo, The Netherlands and Flemish
Belgium there are those who argue for a bringing together of those people
into a common state. There are many people in Hungary who lament the
Treaty of Trianon of 1920 and would like all Hungarian-speaking peoples in
surrounding countries to be reunited with mother Hungary. The problem is
that, in countless states, there is no single dominant language but many
different languages, so that language alone is often a poor determinant of
statehood. For instance, India has no less than 23 official languages, while
South Africa has 11.
Religion: Religious belief has been the building block of many countries. Many
European countries to this day see themselves as essentially Catholic or Protestant.
Most Middle Eastern countries see themselves as Sunni Muslim or Shi'ite Muslim.
Countries like Nepal and Bhutan see Bhuddism as a defining characteristic. Perhaps
the most radical case of a religion distinguishing a nation is Israel which defines
itself as a Jewish state. But, if religion is so important, what do we do about states
that are sharply divided by religion such as Nigeria or the Sudan? And, if religion is
the defining feature of a state, do those of a different religion have the same rights
as other citizens? A Catholic could not become King in Britain; could a Muslim
become President of Israel?
accept that people can and will have multiple identities and not define people
simply by nationality.
devolve power for a range of political issues and responsibilities to more local
levels so that all groups feel a sense of belonging and ownership
Second
Language
Acquisition
It is not just the learning of a subsequent language to be learnt in childhood but also
the study of the processes involved and of those who are learning it.
The Main Theories in SLA
It focuses on the differences and similarities between the L1 and the Second
Language (L2).
This means that the similarities and differences between L1 and L2 play a
crucial role in learners production.
Saville-Troike (2006) also points out that there will be a transfer of elements
acquired in the L1 to the target L2
However, it can also be negative if a language structure from the L1 does not
exist in the L2 but the structure is transferred leading to the production of
incorrect language.
Mitchell and Myles (1998: 30) say that the predictions of CAH, that all the
errors made in learning the L2 are due to interface from L1, were shown to be
unfounded. They claim that many studies and research explain convincingly
that the majority of errors could not be attributed to the L1. In other words,
CAH might not predict learning difficulties, and was only useful in the
retrospective explanation of errors. This point considerably weakened its
appeal. However, the heightened interest in this area did lead to the origin of
Error Analysis.