Speech and the City
Multilingualism, Decoloniality and the Civic University

The Brexit debate has been accompanied by a rise in hostile attitudes to multilingualism. However, cities can provide an important counter-weight to political polarisation by forging civic identities that embrace diversity. In this timely book, Yaron Matras describes the emergence of a city language narrative that embraces and celebrates multilingualism and helps forge a civic identity. He critiques linguaphobic discourses at a national level that regard multilingualism as deficient citizenship. Drawing on his research in Manchester, he examines the 'multilingual utopia', looking at multilingual spaces across sectors in the city that support access, heritage, skills and celebration. The book explores the tensions between decolonial approaches that inspire activism for social justice and equality, and the neoliberal enterprise that appropriates diversity for reputational and profitability purposes, prompting critical reflection on calls for civic university engagement. It is essential reading for anyone concerned about ways to protect cultural pluralism in our society.

Preface; 1. Linguaphobia; 2. The city as a multilingual utopia; 3. (Re-)claiming knowledge; 4. Access and agency; 5. Heritage and skills; 6. Celebration and citizenship; 7. Academic and advocacy; 8. The mirage of the civic university.

Yaron Matras is a former Professor of Linguistics at the University of Manchester, where he founded and led the Multilingual Manchester project. He holds honorary affiliations with Aston University and the University of Haifa. His books include Language Contact, Volumes 1 & 2 (Cambridge University Press, 2009/2020) and Romani (Cambridge University Press, 2002).