Language, Hegemony and the European Union

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xiv

   PDF

2. Introduction

   • Glyn Williams, Gruffudd Williams

   Pages 1-36

3. EU Discourse

   • Glyn Williams, Gruffudd Williams

   Pages 37-73

4. Globalisation and Change

   • Glyn Williams, Gruffudd Williams

   Pages 75-104

5. Disciplinarity and Language

   • Glyn Williams, Gruffudd Williams

   Pages 105-134

6. Justice

   • Glyn Williams, Gruffudd Williams

   Pages 135-172

7. The Legal Order

   • Glyn Williams, Gruffudd Williams

   Pages 173-202

8. Governance

   • Glyn Williams, Gruffudd Williams

   Pages 203-230

9. Education

   • Glyn Williams, Gruffudd Williams

   Pages 231-269

10. Unity in Diversity

    • Glyn Williams, Gruffudd Williams

    Pages 271-301

11. Back Matter

    Pages 303-330

    PDF

This book critically examines the European Union’s “Unity in Diversity” mantra with regard to language. It uses a theoretical framework based on hegemony both as a system and as a relationship. Operating within sociolinguistics, the book replaces the notion of ideology in poststructuralist thought with that of hegemony. The authors argue that forging unity across language communities contradicts the tenets of classical liberal theory. Global neo-liberalism influences this orthodoxy, shifting the parameters of power and political control. Over nine chapters, the authors cover topics such as globalization and social change, justice, governance and education. The book will be of interest to sociolinguists, political scientists, sociologists, as well as scholars of language and globalization and European studies.

• language communities
• language policy
• globalisation
• language and society
• European Union language policy
• european union politics

“This penetrating critique unpacks the ideological and socio-political implications of the EU’s ‘Unity in Diversity’ programme by challenging deep-seated conceptions which underlie the relationship between the EU and the nation state. Characterized by rich conceptual clarity and scholarly reasoning it tells us as much about the why as the how of liberal democracy’s dealings with language-related issues in the fields of education, governance, justice and politics. Ultimately it carries a profound message for the normative interpretation of the citizen as a constructed subject within the discursive context of the state’s and region’s hegemony.” (Colin H. Williams, Professor, Cardiff University, UK)

• Ynys Mon, United Kingdom

  Glyn Williams

• London, United Kingdom

  Gruffudd Williams

Glyn Williams is a former Ford Foundation Foreign Fellow and was educated at the University of Wales, UK, and the University of California, Berkeley, USA. Prior to retirement he worked at the University of San Francisco, USA, Bangor University, UK, Cardiff University, UK and Ramon Llull University, Spain.  He is author or co-author of thirteen books and more than a hundred academic papers.


Gruffudd Williams is an independent scholar educated at University College, London, UK, and Oxford University, UK. He went on to work at the European Commission in Brussels. He is currently employed in private practice at the London office of an international law firm.

Policies and ethics