The SLICE project
SLICE (Standard Language Ideology in Contemporary Europe) is a European network and research programme on ‘The nature and role of language standardisation and standard languages in late modernity’ established in 2009 at the initiative of LANCHART
SLICE activities are organised in two ‘strands’:
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an ‘experimental strand’ and
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a ‘media strand’
The ‘experimental strand’ uses methods similar to LANCHART’s to study language attitudes and ideologies, or more generally discuss such methods. In terms of countries involved, the investigations and scholars represent Belgium, Bosnia, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Norway, UK, the USA.
Purpose
The social and cultural processes that make up what we call ‘globalisation’ and ‘late modernity’ seem to include historically significant changes in language ideology, as traditional standards for ‘language excellence’ are being redefined.
To study and understand these changes are of great importance not only from a scientific point of view, but also in a general social perspective. Far-reaching cultural, political, and educational implications are involved. How we see and value ways of speaking, and our awareness about these representations and values, reflect and determine the language policy principles that society’s institutions (schools, media, businesses) are run by – and, hence, ultimately, the way we as speakers are treated and behave.