The problem of bilingualism in Lituania today - Revision history

Yvesmarie at 12:54, 8 September 2011

2011-09-08T12:54:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:54, 8 September 2011
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	Throughout its history, the [[Wikipedia:Lithuanian people\|Lithuanian people]] and [[Wikipedia:Lithuanian language\|Lithuanian language]] have gone through periods of greatness and decline. Since the XIXth century, the originality of the Lithuanian language catches the attention of linguists in the whole world. It was codified at the end of XIXth and the beginning of the XXth century.		Throughout its history, the [[Wikipedia:Lithuanian people\|Lithuanian people]] and [[Wikipedia:Lithuanian language\|Lithuanian language]] have gone through periods of greatness and decline. Since the XIXth century, the originality of the Lithuanian language catches the attention of linguists in the whole world. It was codified at the end of XIXth and the beginning of the XXth century.

	During the Sovietic period, the Lithuanian language was replaced by [[Wikipedia:Russian language\|Russian]] little by little. [[Wikipedia:Russification\|Russianization]] was even harder than during the rule of the [[Russian tsars]]. ~~One proclaimed a~~ policy of bilingualism ~~which was~~ expressed only by the obligation made to Lithuanians to learn Russian while Russians did not bother to learn Lithuanian. If the written Lithuanian language were more or less protected by writers through newspapers and publishers, the spoken Lithuanian language was degraded. Often, in the institutions, it was only a language of oral communication, the greatest part of technical documentation and correspondence being written in Russian.		During the Sovietic period, the Lithuanian language was replaced by [[Wikipedia:Russian language\|Russian]] little by little. [[Wikipedia:Russification\|Russianization]] was even harder than during the rule of the [[Russian tsars]]. A policy of bilingualism expressed only by the obligation made to Lithuanians to learn Russian while Russians did not bother to learn Lithuanian was proclaimed. If the written Lithuanian language were more or less protected by writers through newspapers and publishers, the spoken Lithuanian language was degraded. Often, in the institutions, it was only a language of oral communication, the greatest part of technical documentation and correspondence being written in Russian.

	~~School~~ was powerless to oppose the propagation of this false bilingualism. The number of hours devoted to the teaching of Lithuanian fell~~, one~~ taught ~~Russian~~ even in kindergartens. The remuneration of Russian teachers for the same number of hours was higher than that of the teachers of Lithuanian. The majority of the textbooks for the other subject matters being taught were translated from Russian to a Lithuanian ~~which was~~ not always ~~correct~~.		The school was powerless to oppose the propagation of this false bilingualism. The number of hours devoted to the teaching of Lithuanian fell: Russian was taught even in kindergartens. The remuneration of Russian teachers for the same number of hours was higher than that of the teachers of Lithuanian. The majority of the textbooks for the other subject matters being taught were translated from Russian to Lithuanian, not always correctly.

	Research by Lithuanian linguists was controlled by "the party and the government" ~~which~~ often saw "premises of nationalism" in them. The majority of scientific fields were completely Russianized: exact sciences, natural science, political sciences, diplomacy, military sciences... Researchers in all fields, Lithuanian ones included, were obliged to prepare and defend their doctoral theses in Russian.		Research by Lithuanian linguists was controlled by "the party and the government" that often saw "premises of nationalism" in them. The majority of scientific fields were completely Russianized: exact sciences, natural science, political sciences, diplomacy, military sciences... Researchers in all fields, Lithuanian ones included, were obliged to prepare and defend their doctoral theses in Russian.

	The knowledge of Russian had become a social need and, towards the end of 1980s, there were already approximately 90% of young Lithuanians from 16 to 25 years old who usually spoke Russian. The Lithuanian people became bilingual while the Russian speakers in Lithuania spoke only Russian. This "bilingualism" degraded the [[Wikipedia:Phonetics\|phonetics]], [[Wikipedia:Morphology (linguistics)\|morphology]], [[Wikipedia:Syntax\|syntax]] and especially the [[Wikipedia:vocabulary\|vocabulary]] of Lithuanian.		The knowledge of Russian had become a social need and, towards the end of 1980s, there were already approximately 90% of young Lithuanians from 16 to 25 years old who usually spoke Russian. The Lithuanian people became bilingual while the Russian speakers in Lithuania spoke only Russian. This "bilingualism" degraded the [[Wikipedia:Phonetics\|phonetics]], [[Wikipedia:Morphology (linguistics)\|morphology]], [[Wikipedia:Syntax\|syntax]] and especially the [[Wikipedia:vocabulary\|vocabulary]] of Lithuanian.

	A great part of the Lithuanian intellectuals were always worried by this problem. This interest became manifest especially during the period of the "[[Wikipedia:Sąjūdis\|Sąjūdis]]" popular movement, formed in 1988. It is during the same year of 1988, that the Lithuanian language acquired the status of [[Wikipedia:official language\|official language]], a fact which started the process of the reconstitution of democracy, leading to the re-establishment of Lithuania's independence on March 11, 1990.		A great part of the Lithuanian intellectuals were always worried by this problem. This interest became manifest especially during the period of the "[[Wikipedia:Sąjūdis\|Sąjūdis]]" popular movement, formed in 1988. It is during the same year, 1988, that the Lithuanian language acquired the status of [[Wikipedia:official language\|official language]], a fact which started the process of the reconstitution of democracy, leading to the re-establishment of Lithuania's independence on March 11, 1990.

	The [[official language law]] adopted in 1995 changed the attitude of the population of the ethnic minorities in Lithuania towards Lithuanian. This law regulates the use of language in public life only; it obliges institutions to use only the Lithuanian language for their official documentation and their correspondence and guarantees the right of Lithuanian citizens to have access to information in the official language. It does not regulate the usual communication of the inhabitants of the country. Ethnic minorities learn Lithuanian with interest, but they have also enjoyed conditions defined by the legislation to have access to education and media in their own languages. The person having all possibilities to express himself in his mother tongue, and at the same time having a command of the official language of the country, will always feel better protected as a citizen and will more easily enjoy the rights and accomplish the duties defined by the Constitution of the country. This is the principal component of the linguistic policy of the Lithuanian State.		The [[official language law]] adopted in 1995 changed the attitude of the population of the ethnic minorities in Lithuania towards Lithuanian. This law regulates the use of language in public life only; it obliges institutions to use only the Lithuanian language for their official documentation and their correspondence and guarantees the right of Lithuanian citizens to have access to information in the official language. It does not regulate the usual communication of the inhabitants of the country. Ethnic minorities learn Lithuanian with interest, but they have also enjoyed conditions defined by the legislation to have access to education and media in their own languages. The person having all possibilities to express himself in his mother tongue, and at the same time having a command of the official language of the country, will always feel better protected as a citizen and will more easily enjoy the rights and accomplish the duties defined by the Constitution of the country. This is the principal component of the linguistic policy of the Lithuanian State.

	It is necessary to distinguish ~~State~~ bilingualism from personal bilingualism. In all democratic countries ~~of the world are created~~ the conditions necessary so that all the ethnic minorities can learn the official language of the country and participate in its social and cultural life. In Lithuania, a unilingual country, it leads to ~~the~~ bilingualism ~~of persons~~. The Lithuanian ~~State~~ continues to create the conditions for the development of this personal bilingualism from primary school where children of ethnic minorities learn the official language and receive a sociocultural formation. Today, there are in Lithuania 97 schools giving a mixed education of languages (85 bilingual schools and 12 trilingual schools).		It is necessary to distinguish state bilingualism from personal bilingualism. In all the world's democratic countries, the conditions necessary, so that all the ethnic minorities can learn the official language of the country and participate in its social and cultural life, are created. In Lithuania, a unilingual country, it leads to personal bilingualism. The Lithuanian state continues to create the conditions for the development of this personal bilingualism from primary school where children of ethnic minorities learn the official language and receive a sociocultural formation. Today, there are in Lithuania 97 schools giving a mixed education of languages (85 bilingual schools and 12 trilingual schools).

	At the theoretical and practical levels, one is working out a new conception of the teaching of the official language in these mixed schools. It will be directed ~~not only~~ towards the learning of Lithuanian but ~~specifically~~ towards the formation of bilingualism. That means that the objective of people belonging to ethnic minority groups will be to reach the same level of practical use for the two languages - their mother tongue and the official language of the country.		At the theoretical and practical levels, one is working out a new conception of the teaching of the official language in these mixed schools. It will be directed towards the learning of Lithuanian but also towards the formation of bilingualism. That means that the objective of people belonging to ethnic minority groups will be to reach the same level of practical use for the two languages: their mother tongue and the official language of the country.

	In the pursuit of ~~this~~ objective, the experience of the old traditions of ~~State~~ bilingualism and personal bilingualism in Quebec is invaluable to us. A new attitude towards bilingualism also appears little by little in certain countries of Europe, for example in [[Wikipedia:England\|England]], [[Wikipedia:Ireland\|Ireland]] and elsewhere.		In the pursuit of that objective, the experience of the old traditions of state bilingualism and personal bilingualism in Quebec is invaluable to us. A new attitude towards bilingualism also appears little by little in certain countries of Europe, for example in [[Wikipedia:England\|England]], [[Wikipedia:Ireland\|Ireland]] and elsewhere.

	~~One~~ sometimes ~~worries~~ about the negative interference of languages, but the positive or negative characteristics of bilingualism generally depend on the formation methods, the sociolinguistic situations as well as the very attitude of the State towards this problem, and the principles of bilingualism it defines.		People sometimes worry about the negative interference of languages, but the positive or negative characteristics of bilingualism generally depend on the formation methods, the sociolinguistic situations as well as the very attitude of the State towards this problem, and the principles of bilingualism it defines.

	== See also ==		== See also ==

Mathieugp at 04:33, 30 January 2011

2011-01-30T04:33:36Z

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	[[Category:21st century]]		[[Category:21st century]]
	[[Category:Translations]]		[[Category:Translations]]
			[[Category:2002]]
			[[Category:2008]]

Mathieugp at 17:45, 13 July 2009

2009-07-13T17:45:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:45, 13 July 2009
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	* [[The impact of Quebec's linguistic policy abroad seen from francophone Belgium]] by Jean-Marie Klinkenberg		* [[The impact of Quebec's linguistic policy abroad seen from francophone Belgium]] by Jean-Marie Klinkenberg
	* [[The influence of Quebec's linguistic legislation in the political and cultural life of Porto Rico]] by Luis Muñiz-Argüelles		* [[The influence of Quebec's linguistic legislation in the political and cultural life of Porto Rico]] by Luis Muñiz-Argüelles

			[[Category:21st century]]
			[[Category:Translations]]

Mathieugp at 19:36, 15 January 2009

2009-01-15T19:36:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:36, 15 January 2009
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	By Jonas Žilinskas, lecturer at [[University of Šiauliai]], in [[Wikipedia:Lithuania\|Lithuania]].		By Jonas Žilinskas, lecturer at [[University of Šiauliai]], in [[Wikipedia:Lithuania\|Lithuania]].

	Throughout its history, the [[Wikipedia:Lithuanian people\|Lithuanian people]] and ~~its~~ [[Wikipedia:Lithuanian language\|language]] have gone through periods of greatness and decline. Since the XIXth century, the originality of the Lithuanian language catches the attention of linguists in the whole world. It was codified at the end of XIXth and the beginning of the XXth century.		Throughout its history, the [[Wikipedia:Lithuanian people\|Lithuanian people]] and [[Wikipedia:Lithuanian language\|Lithuanian language]] have gone through periods of greatness and decline. Since the XIXth century, the originality of the Lithuanian language catches the attention of linguists in the whole world. It was codified at the end of XIXth and the beginning of the XXth century.

	During the Sovietic period, the Lithuanian language was replaced by [[Wikipedia:Russian language\|Russian]] little by little. [[Wikipedia:Russification\|Russianization]] was even harder than during the rule of the [[Russian tsars]]. One proclaimed a policy of bilingualism which was expressed only by the obligation made to Lithuanians to learn Russian while Russians did not bother to learn Lithuanian. If the written Lithuanian language were more or less protected by writers through newspapers and publishers, the spoken Lithuanian language was degraded. Often, in the institutions, it was only a language of oral communication, the greatest part of technical documentation and correspondence being written in Russian.		During the Sovietic period, the Lithuanian language was replaced by [[Wikipedia:Russian language\|Russian]] little by little. [[Wikipedia:Russification\|Russianization]] was even harder than during the rule of the [[Russian tsars]]. One proclaimed a policy of bilingualism which was expressed only by the obligation made to Lithuanians to learn Russian while Russians did not bother to learn Lithuanian. If the written Lithuanian language were more or less protected by writers through newspapers and publishers, the spoken Lithuanian language was degraded. Often, in the institutions, it was only a language of oral communication, the greatest part of technical documentation and correspondence being written in Russian.

	School was powerless to ~~opposed~~ the propagation of this false bilingualism. The number of hours devoted to the teaching of ~~the~~ Lithuanian fell, one taught Russian even in kindergartens. The remuneration of Russian teachers for the same number of hours was higher than that of the teachers of Lithuanian. The majority of the textbooks for the other subject matters being taught were translated from Russian to a Lithuanian which was not always correct.		School was powerless to oppose the propagation of this false bilingualism. The number of hours devoted to the teaching of Lithuanian fell, one taught Russian even in kindergartens. The remuneration of Russian teachers for the same number of hours was higher than that of the teachers of Lithuanian. The majority of the textbooks for the other subject matters being taught were translated from Russian to a Lithuanian which was not always correct.

	Research by Lithuanian linguists was controlled by "the party and the government" which often saw "premises of nationalism" in them. The majority of scientific ~~domains~~ were completely Russianized: exact sciences, natural science, political sciences, diplomacy, military sciences... Researchers in all fields, Lithuanian ones included, were obliged to prepare and defend their doctoral theses in Russian.		Research by Lithuanian linguists was controlled by "the party and the government" which often saw "premises of nationalism" in them. The majority of scientific fields were completely Russianized: exact sciences, natural science, political sciences, diplomacy, military sciences... Researchers in all fields, Lithuanian ones included, were obliged to prepare and defend their doctoral theses in Russian.

	The knowledge of Russian had become a social need and, towards the end of 1980s, there were already approximately 90% of young Lithuanians from 16 to 25 years old who usually spoke Russian. The Lithuanian people became bilingual while the Russian speakers in Lithuania spoke only Russian. This "bilingualism" degraded the [[Wikipedia:Phonetics\|phonetics]], [[Wikipedia:Morphology (linguistics)\|morphology]], [[Wikipedia:Syntax\|syntax]] and especially the [[Wikipedia:vocabulary\|vocabulary]] of Lithuanian.		The knowledge of Russian had become a social need and, towards the end of 1980s, there were already approximately 90% of young Lithuanians from 16 to 25 years old who usually spoke Russian. The Lithuanian people became bilingual while the Russian speakers in Lithuania spoke only Russian. This "bilingualism" degraded the [[Wikipedia:Phonetics\|phonetics]], [[Wikipedia:Morphology (linguistics)\|morphology]], [[Wikipedia:Syntax\|syntax]] and especially the [[Wikipedia:vocabulary\|vocabulary]] of Lithuanian.

	A great part of the Lithuanian intellectuals were always worried by this problem. This interest became manifest especially during the period of the "[[Wikipedia:Sąjūdis\|Sąjūdis]]" popular movement, formed in 1988. It is during the same year of 1988, that the Lithuanian language acquired the status of [[Wikipedia:official language\|official language]], a fact which started the process of reconstitution of democracy ~~which lead~~ to the re-establishment of ~~the~~ independence ~~of Lithuania,~~ on March 11, 1990.		A great part of the Lithuanian intellectuals were always worried by this problem. This interest became manifest especially during the period of the "[[Wikipedia:Sąjūdis\|Sąjūdis]]" popular movement, formed in 1988. It is during the same year of 1988, that the Lithuanian language acquired the status of [[Wikipedia:official language\|official language]], a fact which started the process of the reconstitution of democracy, leading to the re-establishment of Lithuania's independence on March 11, 1990.

	The [[official language law]] adopted in 1995 changed the attitude of the population of the ethnic minorities in Lithuania towards Lithuanian. This law regulates the use of ~~the~~ language ~~only~~ in ~~the~~ public life; it obliges institutions to use only the Lithuanian language for their official documentation and their correspondence and guarantees the right of Lithuanian citizens to have access to information in the official language. It does not regulate the usual communication of the inhabitants of the country. Ethnic minorities learn Lithuanian with interest, but they have also ~~enjoy~~ conditions defined by the legislation to have access to education and media in their own languages. The person having all possibilities to express himself in his mother tongue, and at the same time having a command of the official language of the country, will always feel better protected as a citizen and will more easily enjoy the rights and accomplish the duties defined by the Constitution of the country. This is the principal component of the linguistic policy of the Lithuanian State.		The [[official language law]] adopted in 1995 changed the attitude of the population of the ethnic minorities in Lithuania towards Lithuanian. This law regulates the use of language in public life only; it obliges institutions to use only the Lithuanian language for their official documentation and their correspondence and guarantees the right of Lithuanian citizens to have access to information in the official language. It does not regulate the usual communication of the inhabitants of the country. Ethnic minorities learn Lithuanian with interest, but they have also enjoyed conditions defined by the legislation to have access to education and media in their own languages. The person having all possibilities to express himself in his mother tongue, and at the same time having a command of the official language of the country, will always feel better protected as a citizen and will more easily enjoy the rights and accomplish the duties defined by the Constitution of the country. This is the principal component of the linguistic policy of the Lithuanian State.

	It is necessary to distinguish State bilingualism from personal bilingualism. In all democratic countries of the world are created the conditions necessary so that all the ethnic minorities can learn the official language of the country and participate in ~~the~~ social and cultural life. In Lithuania, a unilingual country, it leads to bilingualism by persons. The Lithuanian State continues to create the conditions for the development of this personal bilingualism from primary school where ~~the~~ children of ethnic minorities learn the official language and receive a sociocultural formation. Today, there are in Lithuania 97 schools giving a mixed education of languages (85 bilingual schools and 12 trilingual schools).		It is necessary to distinguish State bilingualism from personal bilingualism. In all democratic countries of the world are created the conditions necessary so that all the ethnic minorities can learn the official language of the country and participate in its social and cultural life. In Lithuania, a unilingual country, it leads to the bilingualism of persons. The Lithuanian State continues to create the conditions for the development of this personal bilingualism from primary school where children of ethnic minorities learn the official language and receive a sociocultural formation. Today, there are in Lithuania 97 schools giving a mixed education of languages (85 bilingual schools and 12 trilingual schools).

	On the theoretical and practical levels, one is working out a new conception of the teaching of the official language in these mixed schools. It will be directed not only towards the learning of Lithuanian but specifically towards the formation of bilingualism. That means that the objective of people belonging to ethnic minority groups will be to reach the same level of practical use for the two languages - their mother tongue and the official language of the country.		At the theoretical and practical levels, one is working out a new conception of the teaching of the official language in these mixed schools. It will be directed not only towards the learning of Lithuanian but specifically towards the formation of bilingualism. That means that the objective of people belonging to ethnic minority groups will be to reach the same level of practical use for the two languages - their mother tongue and the official language of the country.

	In the pursuit of this objective, the experience of the old traditions of State bilingualism and personal bilingualism in Quebec is invaluable to us. A new attitude towards bilingualism also appears little by little in certain countries of Europe, for example in [[Wikipedia:England\|England]], [[Wikipedia:Ireland\|Ireland]] and elsewhere.		In the pursuit of this objective, the experience of the old traditions of State bilingualism and personal bilingualism in Quebec is invaluable to us. A new attitude towards bilingualism also appears little by little in certain countries of Europe, for example in [[Wikipedia:England\|England]], [[Wikipedia:Ireland\|Ireland]] and elsewhere.

Mathieugp at 18:01, 29 February 2008

2008-02-29T18:01:57Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:01, 29 February 2008
Line 1:		Line 1:
	~~By Jonas Žilinskas~~, ~~lecturer at University~~ of ~~Šiauliai,~~ in ~~Lithuania~~.		This is an unofficial English translation of [http://www.oqlf.gouv.qc.ca/ressources/bibliotheque/ouvrages/amenagement_hs/ral01_charte_zilinkas_vf.pdf "Le problème du bilinguisme en Lituanie aujourd'hui"], an article found in a [http://www.oqlf.gouv.qc.ca/ressources/publications/publications_amenagement/sommaire_hs_ral.html special issue] of the [[Wikipedia:Office québécois de la langue française\|OQLF]]'s [http://www.oqlf.gouv.qc.ca/ressources/publications/publications_amenagement/ ''Revue d'aménagement linguistique''] published for the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Québec's [[Wikipedia:Charter of the French Language\|Charter of the French language]] in 2002.
			----

	Throughout its history, the Lithuanian people and its language have gone through periods of greatness and decline. Since the XIXth century, the originality of the Lithuanian language catches the attention of linguists in the whole world. It was codified at the end of XIXth and the beginning of the XXth century.

	During the Sovietic period, the Lithuanian language was replaced by Russian little by little. Russianization was even harder than during the rule of the Russian tsars. One proclaimed a policy of bilingualism which was expressed only by the obligation made to Lithuanians to learn Russian while Russians did not bother to learn Lithuanian. If the written Lithuanian language were more or less protected by writers through newspapers and publishers, the spoken Lithuanian language was degraded. Often, in the institutions, it was only a language of oral communication, the greatest part of technical documentation and correspondence being written in Russian.		By Jonas Žilinskas, lecturer at [[University of Šiauliai]], in [[Wikipedia:Lithuania\|Lithuania]].

			Throughout its history, the [[Wikipedia:Lithuanian people\|Lithuanian people]] and its [[Wikipedia:Lithuanian language\|language]] have gone through periods of greatness and decline. Since the XIXth century, the originality of the Lithuanian language catches the attention of linguists in the whole world. It was codified at the end of XIXth and the beginning of the XXth century.

			During the Sovietic period, the Lithuanian language was replaced by [[Wikipedia:Russian language\|Russian]] little by little. [[Wikipedia:Russification\|Russianization]] was even harder than during the rule of the [[Russian tsars]]. One proclaimed a policy of bilingualism which was expressed only by the obligation made to Lithuanians to learn Russian while Russians did not bother to learn Lithuanian. If the written Lithuanian language were more or less protected by writers through newspapers and publishers, the spoken Lithuanian language was degraded. Often, in the institutions, it was only a language of oral communication, the greatest part of technical documentation and correspondence being written in Russian.

	School was powerless to opposed the propagation of this false bilingualism. The number of hours devoted to the teaching of the Lithuanian fell, one taught Russian even in kindergartens. The remuneration of Russian teachers for the same number of hours was higher than that of the teachers of Lithuanian. The majority of the textbooks for the other subject matters being taught were translated from Russian to a Lithuanian which was not always correct.		School was powerless to opposed the propagation of this false bilingualism. The number of hours devoted to the teaching of the Lithuanian fell, one taught Russian even in kindergartens. The remuneration of Russian teachers for the same number of hours was higher than that of the teachers of Lithuanian. The majority of the textbooks for the other subject matters being taught were translated from Russian to a Lithuanian which was not always correct.
Line 9:		Line 13:
	Research by Lithuanian linguists was controlled by "the party and the government" which often saw "premises of nationalism" in them. The majority of scientific domains were completely Russianized: exact sciences, natural science, political sciences, diplomacy, military sciences... Researchers in all fields, Lithuanian ones included, were obliged to prepare and defend their doctoral theses in Russian.		Research by Lithuanian linguists was controlled by "the party and the government" which often saw "premises of nationalism" in them. The majority of scientific domains were completely Russianized: exact sciences, natural science, political sciences, diplomacy, military sciences... Researchers in all fields, Lithuanian ones included, were obliged to prepare and defend their doctoral theses in Russian.

	The knowledge of Russian had become a social need and, towards the end of 1980s, there were already approximately 90% of young Lithuanians from 16 to 25 years old who usually spoke Russian. The Lithuanian people became bilingual while the Russian speakers in Lithuania spoke only Russian. This "bilingualism" degraded the phonetics, morphology, syntax and especially the vocabulary of Lithuanian.		The knowledge of Russian had become a social need and, towards the end of 1980s, there were already approximately 90% of young Lithuanians from 16 to 25 years old who usually spoke Russian. The Lithuanian people became bilingual while the Russian speakers in Lithuania spoke only Russian. This "bilingualism" degraded the [[Wikipedia:Phonetics\|phonetics]], [[Wikipedia:Morphology (linguistics)\|morphology]], [[Wikipedia:Syntax\|syntax]] and especially the [[Wikipedia:vocabulary\|vocabulary]] of Lithuanian.

	A great part of the Lithuanian intellectuals were always worried by this problem. This interest became manifest especially during the period of the "Sąjūdis" popular movement, formed in 1988. It is during the same year of 1988, that the Lithuanian language acquired the status of official language, a fact which started the process of reconstitution of democracy which lead to the re-establishment of the independence of Lithuania, on March 11, 1990.		A great part of the Lithuanian intellectuals were always worried by this problem. This interest became manifest especially during the period of the "[[Wikipedia:Sąjūdis\|Sąjūdis]]" popular movement, formed in 1988. It is during the same year of 1988, that the Lithuanian language acquired the status of [[Wikipedia:official language\|official language]], a fact which started the process of reconstitution of democracy which lead to the re-establishment of the independence of Lithuania, on March 11, 1990.

	The official language law adopted in 1995 changed the attitude of the population of the ethnic minorities in Lithuania towards Lithuanian. This law regulates the use of the language only in the public life; it obliges ~~the~~ institutions to use only the Lithuanian language for their official documentation and their correspondence and guarantees the right of Lithuanian citizens to have access to information in the official language. It does not regulate the usual communication of the inhabitants of the country. Ethnic minorities learn Lithuanian with interest, but they have also enjoy conditions defined by the legislation to have access to education and media in their own languages. The person having all possibilities to express himself in his mother tongue, and at the same time having a command of the official language of the country, will always feel better protected as a citizen and will more easily enjoy the rights and accomplish the duties defined by the Constitution of the country. This is the principal component of the linguistic policy of the Lithuanian State.		The [[official language law]] adopted in 1995 changed the attitude of the population of the ethnic minorities in Lithuania towards Lithuanian. This law regulates the use of the language only in the public life; it obliges institutions to use only the Lithuanian language for their official documentation and their correspondence and guarantees the right of Lithuanian citizens to have access to information in the official language. It does not regulate the usual communication of the inhabitants of the country. Ethnic minorities learn Lithuanian with interest, but they have also enjoy conditions defined by the legislation to have access to education and media in their own languages. The person having all possibilities to express himself in his mother tongue, and at the same time having a command of the official language of the country, will always feel better protected as a citizen and will more easily enjoy the rights and accomplish the duties defined by the Constitution of the country. This is the principal component of the linguistic policy of the Lithuanian State.

	It is necessary to distinguish State bilingualism from personal bilingualism. In all democratic countries of the world are created the conditions necessary so that all the ethnic minorities can learn the official language of the country and participate in the social and cultural life. In Lithuania, a unilingual country, it leads to bilingualism by persons. The Lithuanian State continues to create the conditions for the development of this personal bilingualism from primary school where the children of ethnic minorities learn the official language and receive a sociocultural formation. Today, there are in Lithuania 97 schools giving a mixed education of languages (85 bilingual schools and 12 trilingual schools).		It is necessary to distinguish State bilingualism from personal bilingualism. In all democratic countries of the world are created the conditions necessary so that all the ethnic minorities can learn the official language of the country and participate in the social and cultural life. In Lithuania, a unilingual country, it leads to bilingualism by persons. The Lithuanian State continues to create the conditions for the development of this personal bilingualism from primary school where the children of ethnic minorities learn the official language and receive a sociocultural formation. Today, there are in Lithuania 97 schools giving a mixed education of languages (85 bilingual schools and 12 trilingual schools).
Line 19:		Line 23:
	On the theoretical and practical levels, one is working out a new conception of the teaching of the official language in these mixed schools. It will be directed not only towards the learning of Lithuanian but specifically towards the formation of bilingualism. That means that the objective of people belonging to ethnic minority groups will be to reach the same level of practical use for the two languages - their mother tongue and the official language of the country.		On the theoretical and practical levels, one is working out a new conception of the teaching of the official language in these mixed schools. It will be directed not only towards the learning of Lithuanian but specifically towards the formation of bilingualism. That means that the objective of people belonging to ethnic minority groups will be to reach the same level of practical use for the two languages - their mother tongue and the official language of the country.

	In the pursuit of this objective, the experience of the old traditions of State bilingualism and personal bilingualism in Quebec is invaluable to us. A new attitude towards bilingualism also appears little by little in certain countries of Europe, for example in England, Ireland and elsewhere.		In the pursuit of this objective, the experience of the old traditions of State bilingualism and personal bilingualism in Quebec is invaluable to us. A new attitude towards bilingualism also appears little by little in certain countries of Europe, for example in [[Wikipedia:England\|England]], [[Wikipedia:Ireland\|Ireland]] and elsewhere.

	One sometimes worries about the negative interference of languages, but the positive or negative characteristics of bilingualism generally depend on the formation methods, the sociolinguistic situations as well as the very attitude of the State towards this problem, and the principles of bilingualism it defines.		One sometimes worries about the negative interference of languages, but the positive or negative characteristics of bilingualism generally depend on the formation methods, the sociolinguistic situations as well as the very attitude of the State towards this problem, and the principles of bilingualism it defines.

			== See also ==

	~~http~~:~~//www~~.~~oqlf~~.~~gouv.qc.ca/ressources/bibliotheque/ouvrages/amenagement_hs/ral01_charte_zilinkas_vf.pdf~~		* [[Quebec and Catalonia]] by Miquel Reniu i Tresserras
			* [[Influence of the Charter of the French language in China]] by Zhou Qingsheng
			* [[Quebec's language planning policy: Israeli perspective]] by Bernard Spolsky
			* [[The perception of Quebec's "fait français" in the United States]] by Joshua A. Fishman
			* [[Quebec and Estonia]] by Mart Rannut
			* [[The influence of Quebec's language planning policy abroad: Wales]] by Colin H. Williams
			* [[Language policy in Australia - a non-legislative model]] by Uldis Ozolins
			* [[The Charter of the French language in the Baltic States]] by [[Wikipedia:Ina Druviete\|Ina Druviete]]
			* [[The use of languages in Flanders and a comparison with that of Quebec]] by Jean Dujardin
			* [[The problem of bilingualism in Lituania today]] by Jonas Žilinskas
			* [[The impact of Quebec's linguistic policy abroad seen from francophone Belgium]] by Jean-Marie Klinkenberg
			* [[The influence of Quebec's linguistic legislation in the political and cultural life of Porto Rico]] by Luis Muñiz-Argüelles

Mathieugp at 16:36, 29 February 2008

2008-02-29T16:36:56Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:36, 29 February 2008
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	A great part of the Lithuanian intellectuals were always worried by this problem. This interest became manifest especially during the period of the "Sąjūdis" popular movement, formed in 1988. It is during the same year of 1988, that the Lithuanian language acquired the status of official language, a fact which started the process of reconstitution of democracy which lead to the re-establishment of the independence of Lithuania, on March 11, 1990.		A great part of the Lithuanian intellectuals were always worried by this problem. This interest became manifest especially during the period of the "Sąjūdis" popular movement, formed in 1988. It is during the same year of 1988, that the Lithuanian language acquired the status of official language, a fact which started the process of reconstitution of democracy which lead to the re-establishment of the independence of Lithuania, on March 11, 1990.

	The official language law adopted in 1995 changed the attitude of the population of the ethnic minorities in Lithuania towards Lithuanian. This law regulates the use of the language only in the public life; it obliges the institutions to use only the Lithuanian language for their official documentation and their correspondence and guarantees the right of Lithuanian citizens to have access to information in the official language. It does not regulate the usual communication of the inhabitants of the country. Ethnic minorities learn Lithuanian with interest, but they have also enjoy conditions defined by the legislation to have access to education and media in their own languages. The person having all possibilities to express himself in his mother tongue, and at the same time having a command of the official language of the country, will always feel better protected as a citizen and will more ~~easil~~ enjoy the rights and accomplish the duties defined by the Constitution of the country. This is the principal component of the linguistic policy of the Lithuanian State.		The official language law adopted in 1995 changed the attitude of the population of the ethnic minorities in Lithuania towards Lithuanian. This law regulates the use of the language only in the public life; it obliges the institutions to use only the Lithuanian language for their official documentation and their correspondence and guarantees the right of Lithuanian citizens to have access to information in the official language. It does not regulate the usual communication of the inhabitants of the country. Ethnic minorities learn Lithuanian with interest, but they have also enjoy conditions defined by the legislation to have access to education and media in their own languages. The person having all possibilities to express himself in his mother tongue, and at the same time having a command of the official language of the country, will always feel better protected as a citizen and will more easily enjoy the rights and accomplish the duties defined by the Constitution of the country. This is the principal component of the linguistic policy of the Lithuanian State.

	It is necessary to distinguish State bilingualism from personal bilingualism. In all democratic countries of the world are created the conditions necessary so that all the ethnic minorities can learn the official language of the country and participate in the social and cultural life. In Lithuania, a unilingual country, it leads to bilingualism by persons. The Lithuanian State continues to create the conditions for the development of this personal bilingualism from primary school where the children of ethnic minorities learn the official language and receive a sociocultural formation. Today, there are in Lithuania 97 schools giving a mixed education of languages (85 bilingual schools and 12 trilingual schools).		It is necessary to distinguish State bilingualism from personal bilingualism. In all democratic countries of the world are created the conditions necessary so that all the ethnic minorities can learn the official language of the country and participate in the social and cultural life. In Lithuania, a unilingual country, it leads to bilingualism by persons. The Lithuanian State continues to create the conditions for the development of this personal bilingualism from primary school where the children of ethnic minorities learn the official language and receive a sociocultural formation. Today, there are in Lithuania 97 schools giving a mixed education of languages (85 bilingual schools and 12 trilingual schools).

	~~Sur les plans théorique et pratique~~, ~~on est en train d’élaborer une nouvelle~~ conception ~~de l’enseignement de la langue officielle dans ces écoles mixtes~~. ~~Elle sera orientée non seulement vers l’apprentissage du lituanien mais surtout vers la~~ formation ~~du bilinguisme~~. Cela veut dire que l’objectif des personnes ressortissant aux minorités ethniques sera d’atteindre le même niveau d’usage pratique des deux langues – leur langue maternelle et la langue officielle du pays.		On the theoretical and practical levels, one is working out a new conception of the teaching of the official language in these mixed schools. It will be directed not only towards the learning of Lithuanian but specifically towards the formation of bilingualism. That means that the objective of people belonging to ethnic minority groups will be to reach the same level of practical use for the two languages - their mother tongue and the official language of the country.

	~~Dans la poursuite de cet objectif~~, ~~l’expérience des~~ traditions ~~anciennes de bilinguisme d’État et de la personne au Québec nous est précieuse~~. ~~Une nouvelle~~ attitude ~~envers le bilinguisme apparaît aussi peu à peu dans certains pays d’Europe~~, ~~par exemple en Angleterre~~, ~~en Irlande et ailleurs~~.		In the pursuit of this objective, the experience of the old traditions of State bilingualism and personal bilingualism in Quebec is invaluable to us. A new attitude towards bilingualism also appears little by little in certain countries of Europe, for example in England, Ireland and elsewhere.

	~~On s’inquiète parfois au sujet de l’interférence négative des langues~~, ~~mais les particularités positives ou négatives du bilinguisme dépendent le plus souvent des méthodes de~~ formation, ~~des~~ situations ~~sociolinguistiques ainsi que de l’attitude de l’État même envers ce problème~~, ~~et des principes du bilinguisme qu’il définit~~.		One sometimes worries about the negative interference of languages, but the positive or negative characteristics of bilingualism generally depend on the formation methods, the sociolinguistic situations as well as the very attitude of the State towards this problem, and the principles of bilingualism it defines.


	http://www.oqlf.gouv.qc.ca/ressources/bibliotheque/ouvrages/amenagement_hs/ral01_charte_zilinkas_vf.pdf		http://www.oqlf.gouv.qc.ca/ressources/bibliotheque/ouvrages/amenagement_hs/ral01_charte_zilinkas_vf.pdf

Mathieugp at 16:25, 29 February 2008

2008-02-29T16:25:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:25, 29 February 2008
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	The knowledge of Russian had become a social need and, towards the end of 1980s, there were already approximately 90% of young Lithuanians from 16 to 25 years old who usually spoke Russian. The Lithuanian people became bilingual while the Russian speakers in Lithuania spoke only Russian. This "bilingualism" degraded the phonetics, morphology, syntax and especially the vocabulary of Lithuanian.		The knowledge of Russian had become a social need and, towards the end of 1980s, there were already approximately 90% of young Lithuanians from 16 to 25 years old who usually spoke Russian. The Lithuanian people became bilingual while the Russian speakers in Lithuania spoke only Russian. This "bilingualism" degraded the phonetics, morphology, syntax and especially the vocabulary of Lithuanian.

	~~Une grande partie des intellectuels lituaniens était toujours préoccupés par ce problème~~. ~~Cet intérêt s’est manifesté surtout pendant la période du mouvement populaire «~~ Sąjūdis », ~~formé en~~ 1988. ~~C’est la même année, en~~ 1988, ~~que la langue lituanienne acquit le statut de langue officielle~~, ~~fait qui démarra le processus de~~ reconstitution ~~de la démocratie qui aboutit au rétablissement de l’indépendance de la Lituanie~~, le 11 ~~mars~~ 1990.		A great part of the Lithuanian intellectuals were always worried by this problem. This interest became manifest especially during the period of the "Sąjūdis" popular movement, formed in 1988. It is during the same year of 1988, that the Lithuanian language acquired the status of official language, a fact which started the process of reconstitution of democracy which lead to the re-establishment of the independence of Lithuania, on March 11, 1990.

	~~La loi sur la langue officielle adoptée en~~ 1995 ~~changea l’attitude de la~~ population ~~des minorités ethniques en Lituanie envers le lituanien~~. ~~Cette loi ne réglemente que l’emploi de la langue dans la vie publique~~; ~~elle oblige les~~ institutions ~~à employer seulement la langue lituanienne pour leur~~ documentation ~~officielle et pour leur correspondance et garantit le droit des citoyens lituaniens à accéder à l’information en langue officielle~~. ~~Elle ne réglemente pas la~~ communication ~~courante des habitants du pays~~. ~~Les minorités ethniques apprennent le lituanien avec intérêt~~, ~~mais elles ont aussi des~~ conditions ~~définies par la législation pour accéder à l’enseignement et aux médias en leurs propres langues~~. ~~La personne ayant toutes les possibilités pour s’exprimer dans sa langue maternelle~~, ~~et en même temps maîtrisant la langue officielle du pays~~, ~~se sentira toujours mieux protégée comme citoyenne et, plus facilement, jouira des droits et remplira les devoirs définis par la~~ Constitution ~~du pays~~. ~~C’est la composante principale de la politique linguistique de l’État lituanien~~.		The official language law adopted in 1995 changed the attitude of the population of the ethnic minorities in Lithuania towards Lithuanian. This law regulates the use of the language only in the public life; it obliges the institutions to use only the Lithuanian language for their official documentation and their correspondence and guarantees the right of Lithuanian citizens to have access to information in the official language. It does not regulate the usual communication of the inhabitants of the country. Ethnic minorities learn Lithuanian with interest, but they have also enjoy conditions defined by the legislation to have access to education and media in their own languages. The person having all possibilities to express himself in his mother tongue, and at the same time having a command of the official language of the country, will always feel better protected as a citizen and will more easil enjoy the rights and accomplish the duties defined by the Constitution of the country. This is the principal component of the linguistic policy of the Lithuanian State.

	~~Il y a lieu de distinguer le bilinguisme de l’État et le bilinguisme de la personne~~. ~~Dans tous les pays démocratiques du monde sont créées les~~ conditions ~~nécessaires pour que toutes les minorités ethniques puissent apprendre la langue officielle du pays et s’intégrer dans la vie sociale et culturelle~~. ~~En Lituanie~~, ~~pays unilingue~~, ~~il s’agit plutôt du bilinguisme de la personne~~. ~~L’État lituanien continue à créer les~~ conditions ~~du développement de ce bilinguisme personnel à partir de l’école primaire où les enfants des minorités ethniques apprennent la langue officielle et reçoivent une~~ formation ~~socioculturelle~~. ~~Aujourd’hui~~, ~~il existe en Lituanie~~ 97 ~~écoles donnant un enseignement mixte de langues~~ (85 ~~écoles bilingues et~~ 12 ~~écoles trilingues~~).		It is necessary to distinguish State bilingualism from personal bilingualism. In all democratic countries of the world are created the conditions necessary so that all the ethnic minorities can learn the official language of the country and participate in the social and cultural life. In Lithuania, a unilingual country, it leads to bilingualism by persons. The Lithuanian State continues to create the conditions for the development of this personal bilingualism from primary school where the children of ethnic minorities learn the official language and receive a sociocultural formation. Today, there are in Lithuania 97 schools giving a mixed education of languages (85 bilingual schools and 12 trilingual schools).

	Sur les plans théorique et pratique, on est en train d’élaborer une nouvelle conception de l’enseignement de la langue officielle dans ces écoles mixtes. Elle sera orientée non seulement vers l’apprentissage du lituanien mais surtout vers la formation du bilinguisme. Cela veut dire que l’objectif des personnes ressortissant aux minorités ethniques sera d’atteindre le même niveau d’usage pratique des deux langues – leur langue maternelle et la langue officielle du pays.		Sur les plans théorique et pratique, on est en train d’élaborer une nouvelle conception de l’enseignement de la langue officielle dans ces écoles mixtes. Elle sera orientée non seulement vers l’apprentissage du lituanien mais surtout vers la formation du bilinguisme. Cela veut dire que l’objectif des personnes ressortissant aux minorités ethniques sera d’atteindre le même niveau d’usage pratique des deux langues – leur langue maternelle et la langue officielle du pays.

Mathieugp at 15:53, 29 February 2008

2008-02-29T15:53:30Z

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 During the Sovietic period, the Lithuanian language was replaced by Russian little by little. Russianization was even harder than during the rule of the Russian tsars. One proclaimed a policy of bilingualism which was expressed only by the obligation made to Lithuanians to learn Russian while Russians did not bother to learn Lithuanian. If the written Lithuanian language were more or less protected by writers through newspapers and publishers, the spoken Lithuanian language was degraded. Often, in the institutions, it was only a language of oral communication, the greatest part of technical documentation and correspondence being written in Russian.
-School was powerless to opposed the propagation of this false bilingualism. The number of hours devoted to the teaching of the Lithuanian fell, one taught Russian even in kindergartens. The remuneration of Russian teachers for the same number of hours was higher than that of the teachers of Lithuanian. The majority of the textbooks of the other material taught were translated from Russian to a Lithuanian which was not always correct.
+School was powerless to opposed the propagation of this false bilingualism. The number of hours devoted to the teaching of the Lithuanian fell, one taught Russian even in kindergartens. The remuneration of Russian teachers for the same number of hours was higher than that of the teachers of Lithuanian. The majority of the textbooks for the other subject matters being taught were translated from Russian to a Lithuanian which was not always correct.
 http://www.oqlf.gouv.qc.ca/ressources/bibliotheque/ouvrages/amenagement_hs/ral01_charte_zilinkas_vf.pdf

Mathieugp at 23:47, 23 February 2008

2008-02-23T23:47:16Z

New page

During the Sovietic period, the Lithuanian language was replaced by Russian little by little. Russianization was even harder than during the rule of the Russian tsars. One proclaimed a policy of bilingualism which was expressed only by the obligation made to Lithuanians to learn Russian while Russians did not bother to learn Lithuanian. If the written Lithuanian language were more or less protected by writers through newspapers and publishers, the spoken Lithuanian language was degraded. Often, in the institutions, it was only a language of oral communication, the greatest part of technical documentation and correspondence being written in Russian.

School was powerless to opposed the propagation of this false bilingualism. The number of hours devoted to the teaching of the Lithuanian fell, one taught Russian even in kindergartens. The remuneration of Russian teachers for the same number of hours was higher than that of the teachers of Lithuanian. The majority of the textbooks of the other material taught were translated from Russian to a Lithuanian which was not always correct.

The knowledge of Russian had become a social need and, towards the end of 1980, there were already approximately 90% of young Lithuanians from 16 to 25 years old who usually spoke Russian. The Lithuanian people became bilingual while the Russian speakers in Lithuania spoke only Russian. This "bilingualism" degraded phonetics, morphology, the syntax and especially the vocabulary of Lithuanian.

http://www.oqlf.gouv.qc.ca/ressources/bibliotheque/ouvrages/amenagement_hs/ral01_charte_zilinkas_vf.pdf