The Wendish Research Exchange - Schaarschmidt, Gunter: Code-switching in Sorbian and Duokhobor-Russian as a Possible Intermediate Level in the Preservation...

Lětopis Abstract 2008 2: Schaarschmidt, Gunter: Code-switching in Sorbian and Duokhobor-Russian as a Possible Intermediate Level in the Preservation and Revitalization of Minority Languages

There is no agreement among socio-linguists and language planners concerning the scope of maintenance/revitalization efforts for minority languages. Specifically, there is a view that in the absence of a fully bilingual situation, certain linguistic domains (or levels) may need to be emphasized at the expense of others. Concentrating on Sorbian in Germany and Doukhobor Russian in Canada, it can be shown that while a fully developed level of LSP (“language for specific purposes”) is available for both language groups, a large percentage of speakers cite the lack of LSP terms for not using the language in business establishments (Sorbian) or ritual ceremonies (Doukhobor Russian). For this reason, it is perhaps necessary to aim for a “reconfigured” LSP, viz., a kind of “planned” code-switching within that level that will not necessitate the exclusive use of the LSP of the dominant language.