[NEWS] Five language links: Arabic, Cantonese, French, Inuktitut, Spanish

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The Economist looks at the low profile of the Arabic language, arguing one factor lies in its division into multiple very distinctive regional dialects.

The SCMP reports on the differences between the Cantonese spoken in Hong Kong and that spoken in Malaysia.

CBC PEI reports on how French-language schools on the Island need more supporting in integrating students whose main language is not French.

CBC North takes a look at the Twitter account of Angus Andersen, where he shares one Inuktitut word a day.

Slate asksa question: Will Spanish-language songs make it into the Great American Songbook?

[NEWS] Five language links: Macedonian, Inuktitut, Afrikaans, Slavic languages, Catalan

• The Conversation takes a look at the fierce repression faced by the Macedonian language in early 20th century Greece.
• Creating an Inuktitut word for marijuana is a surprisingly controversial task. The Toronto Star reports.
• The representation of non-whites in the Afrikaans language community–the majority population of Afrikaans speakers, actually, despite racism–is a continuing issue. The Christian Science Monitor reports.
• Far Outliers considers the question of just how many different Slavic languages there actually are. Where are boundaries drawn?
• The Catalan language remains widely spoken by ten million people in Europe, but outside of Catalonia proper–especially in French Roussillon–usage is declining.

[NEWS] Five language links: Inuktitut, Icelandic, Ladino, Spanish, isiXhosa

• I entirely agree with the argument of Aluki Kotierk, writing at MacLean’s, who thinks the Inuit of Nunavut have been entirely too passive, too nice, in letting Inuktitut get marginalized. Making it a central feature in education is the least that can be done. (Québec-style language policies work.)
• Although ostensibly a thriving language in many domains of life, the marginalization of the Icelandic language in the online world could be an existential threat. The Guardian reports.
• As part of a bid to keep alive Ladino, traditional language of the Sephardic Jews, Spain has extended to the language official status including support and funding. Ha’aretz reports.
• A new set of policies of Spain aiming at promoting the Spanish language have been criticized by some in Hispanic American states, who call the Spanish moves excessively unilateral. El Pais reports.
• isiXhosa, the language of the Xhosa people of South Africa, is getting huge international attention thanks to its inclusion in Black Panther. The Toronto Star reports.