In 2017, beginners' language course teachers at the University of Helsinki got together to explore what themes in common between different languages could attract learners to a course focusing on a single theme. One potential such theme to emerge was nationalism.
For some teachers, nationalism appeared as a tendency to highlight the special character of a language – and consequently the speakers of that language – based on its long history, level of difficulty or original expressions. For others, nationalism appeared as motivation for defending linguistic rights, while some saw it as standardising a language and marginalising any forms of language that deviate from the standard.
Many also pointed out the manner in which textbooks used in teaching reflect the stereotypical conceptions of speakers of the language. Often such textbooks are produced by nation states which regard marketing the national or official language as a way to boost national identity and extend the country’s cultural impact beyond its borders. A number of teachers also drew attention to how nationalism has normalised monolingualism even though the world has been and continues to be largely multilingual.
From a collaborative course to a book idea
The desire to explore the above themes in closer detail and to dismantle and challenge nationalistic notions of language gave impetus to developing the course Language and Nationalism (5 cr) as an optional course to be included in the core studies of the Bachelor’s Programme in Languages.
In the course, theoretical knowledge about language and nationalism is linked to case studies on the relationship between language and nationalism in different parts of the world. The course is always collaboratively taught by several teachers, and, in fact, this method led to the idea of writing a book on the topic. The format of the course was easily converted into a compilation of texts authored by many of the course teachers.
The compilation will be used as course literature for the first time in the spring term 2026. This will impact the content of the course, as students will be able to read about the topics thus far discussed at lectures in a book and teachers can delve deeper into the case studies.
Funding enabled the book project
When the plan for the book began to take shape, we applied for funding from the Faculty of Arts Future Development Fund for networking and organising a seminar on the topic. The modest reduction in teaching hours enabled by the funding was crucial as it allowed us to develop the project further.
Thanks to the funding, we were able to follow the academic discussion on the topic, acquire research literature, apply for additional funding for writing the book, plan research visits and organise a seminar entitled Nationalismi kielikoulutuksessa ja kielipolitiikassa ('Nationalism in language education and language policies'). The Finnish Oriental Society also provided funding for the seminar. The presentations shed light on the impact of societal and political decisions and agendas on language, language policies and language education. Six speakers at the seminar also ended up as authors in the book project.
For the writing, editing and production costs of the book, we applied and received a grant from the Niilo Helander Foundation.
The original timetable for the writing was disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, which also brought about some changes to the list of authors. In the end, as the number of contributors grew to 13, the writing, finding of a publisher and editing of the manuscript took longer than anticipated. Flexibility in the use of the grant enabled finalising the project, despite all the changes involved.
The Finnish Literature Society was selected as our publisher. After a two-stage anonymous peer review, the Society’s publishing committee gave the go-ahead for our book. The production process was handled professionally and quickly, and our five-year project concluded in December 2024 with the publication of the book Nationalismi ja kieli in the non-fiction series Tietolipas (No 289).
Societal decisions affect language policy
Our book challenges the presumed existence of monolingual states and expands discussion on languages and nationalism to include not only Finland, but also linguistic regions outside Europe. Writers specialised in different such regions elaborate on the impact of societal and political decisions and agendas on language, language policy and language education.
Language is not a phenomenon isolated from the rest of society. It does not evolve according to its own laws similar to the laws of nature. Instead, language has been very actively moulded and reformed. The book encourages readers to consider language-related phenomena and reconsider their own attitudes towards language. They should also rethink concepts such ‘mother tongue’ and ‘national language’, that determine the tone of discussions on language policy and language questions.
The book offers food for thought to anyone interested in the relationship between language and society. It will be used as a textbook in the course that inspired the launch of the book project in the first place. The editors wish to thank all the authors and the active students who have completed the course!