This revised and updated handbook brings together methodological, theoretical, and empirical studies in the economics of language. With contributions from leading researchers, it examines the impact of linguistic diversity on economic outcomes and public policies. The interdependence of language and culture is highlighted through an analysis of the evolution of different languages and the economic consequences of linguistic diversity, as well as the impact of language on consumer behavior and the creation of gendered economic structures. Particularly attention is given to the impact of languages on macroeconomics, including the relationship between language and trade, and language and migrations. The challenge of globalization to minority languages and the growth of multilingual societies is also discussed, alongside the specific dynamics between economics and language at a regional level. It also addresses new developments in LLM (large language models).
This book offers a detailed and original look at the role language plays within international and local economic systems. It will be of interest to students and researchers interested in the economics of language.
Part I. Linguistic Diversity: Origins and Measurement.-
1. Whorfian
Economics.-
2. Dynamic Models of Language Evolution: The Linguistic
Perspective.-
3. Dynamic Models of Language Survival and Language Death: The
Economic Perspective.-
4. The Role of Linguistic Diversity in Economics.-
5.
Axiomatic Approach to Measuring the Value of Languages.- Part II. Languages
and Economic Decisions.-
6. Partial Language Acquisition: The Impact of
Conformity.-
7. Gender Differences in Language Skills and Wage Disparities.-
8. Large Language Models in Economics.-
9. Language in the Marketplace.- Part
III. The Macroeconomic Impact of Languages.-
10. Language Policy and
Socioeconomic Outcomes.-
11. Common Spoken Languages and International
Trade.-
12. Language and Migration.-
13. Language as a Macro-Level Driver of
International Student Mobility.- Part IV. Linguistic Globalization.-
14.
Translation: Economic and Sociological Perspectives.-
15. Challenges of
Minority Languages.-
16. Minority-Languages Rights: Rational Policy Based on
Welfare Economics.- Part V. Languages: Regional Challenges.-
17. Language
Choices: Political and Economic Factors in France and Spain.-
18. Linguistic
Policies in the Post-Brexit European Union.-
19. Local Cadres, Dialects &
Economic Performance in China.-
20. Language Diversity and Economic
consequences in India.-
21. A Lingua Franca for Kurdish Populations.-
22.
Linguistic Policies and Economic Development in Russia: A Historical
Perspective.
Shlomo Weber is the Founding Dean at the School of Humanities, Natural and Social Sciences, New Uzbekistan University, Uzbekistan, and Professor Emeritus at the Southern Methodist University, USA.
Victor Ginsburgh is Honorary Professor of Economics at the University of Brussels, Belgium.
