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Coping with di versity in sport clubs in the Brussels periphery. Rudi Janssens – Eccar conference Ghent 24/11/2011. Outline. 1. Linguistic diversity : Political context versus societal multilingualism 2. Project: coping with linguistic diversity 3. Conclusions.
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Coping withdiversity in sport clubs in the Brussels periphery Rudi Janssens – Eccar conference Ghent 24/11/2011
Outline • 1. Linguisticdiversity:Political context versus societalmultilingualism • 2. Project: coping withlinguisticdiversity • 3. Conclusions
1.3. Locallanguagepolicy:protectingFlemishcharacter of the region • Dutch onlylanguageaccepted in official context • Butmonolingualpoliticalidealalsoapplied to: • Linguistic landscape • Languageuse in shops • Languageuse in sportsclubs,associations..
1.4. Tension politics – sports clubs Localpolicy makers • Objective: preserve Flemishcharacter of localcommunity and localassociations • Means: - financial- access to infrastructure • Statement:Multilingualism is problem • Localsports clubs • Objective:sportsactivitieswithyoungstersfrom the region • Means:- support of localcommunity / parents- use of localinfrastructure • Statement:Sports is our core business
2.1. Research project • Research question:Cansportsclubs play a role in the linguisticintegration of youngstersinto the localcommunity? • Selection clubs: - localfootball team workingwithyoungsters (n=20)- other most important sports club (n=20) • Data: - Interviews withlocal and regionalpolicy makers, members of sportscouncils and civilservants (n=53) - Interviews withmembers of the board of the localclubs, trainers, volunteers (n=101) - Questionaireforplayers and theirparents (n=326) - Observations training
2.2. Languageuse in formal setting versus informalsituation Formal: official meeting Informal: smalltalk
2.3. Languageuseduringcompetition versus training Formal: competition Informal: training
2.4. Is there a problem with multilingualism? • ‘Yes’, according to 14.3% of the interviewees on the political level, 3.0% on sports club level • Do you consider the situation as problematic?- Strongly agree: 0%- Rather agree: 6.3%- Neutral: 10.5%- Rather disagree: 25.9%- Strongly disagree: 27.3%
2.7. Opportunities for ‘language stimulation? • Broad support for multilingual clubs- only 15% prefers Dutch (monolingual) clubs- for 60% opportunity to practice other languages- evolution towards multilingualism inevitable • willingness to work on language ‘stimulation’- club board: 72.5%- trainers: 67.4%- players: 57.1%
2.8. Implementation of ‘language stimulation’? • Integrate into trainers courses Organisation: Clubs National Football Association (eventually, if on broader scale) Financial support: municipality But: only minority wants real action!!!
3.1. Conclusions: Current situation • Multilingualism is a fact=> the more informal, the more multilingual • Issue due to geographical location:- municipal regulation (political issue)- vague regulation on level of club (financial issue)=> matter of board, trainers and players are often unaware
3.2. Conclusions: Vision on multilingualism • Multilingualism is additional value (personal) • The more multilingual a club is, the more its members appreciate it • Stimulates contact with other language speakers => integrationas long as Dutch is prominent as well
3.3. Conclusions: Future • Evolution towards more multilingualism • Sport central issue, language learning only an opportunity • Trainer central role: good practices • Clubs decide on it, but cannot afford to pay
3.4. Policy Recommendations • Political problem ≠ problem for clubs=> extra attention can be counterproductive=> politicians create problem in clubs • Politics can create framework without obligationsSupport for clubs who take initiatives • Indirect pressure based on local reglementations