Coping with diversity in sport clubs in the Brussels periphery

Rudi Janssens – Eccar conference Ghent 24/11/2011

Outline

1. Linguistic diversity: Political context versus societal multilingualism

2. Project: coping with linguistic diversity

3. Conclusions

1.1. Language policy: territorialism

1.2. Multilingual population

1.3. Local language policy: protecting Flemish character of the region

Dutch only language accepted in official contextBut monolingual political ideal also applied to:- Linguistic landscape- Language use in shops- Language use in sports clubs,

associations ..

1.4. Tension politics – sports clubs

Local policy makers Objective:

preserve Flemish character of local community and local associations

Means: - financial - access to infrastructure

Statement:Multilingualism is problem

Local sports clubs Objective:

sports activities with youngsters from the region

Means:- support of local community / parents- use of local infrastructure

Statement:Sports is our core business

2.1. Research project

Research question:Can sports clubs play a role in the linguistic integration of youngsters into the local community?

Selection clubs: - local football team working with youngsters (n=20)- other most important sports club (n=20)

Data: - Interviews with local and regional policy makers,

members of sports councils and civil servants (n=53)

- Interviews with members of the board of the local clubs, trainers, volunteers (n=101) - Questionaire for players and their parents (n=326) - Observations training

2.2. Language use in formal setting versus informal situation

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Formal: official meeting Informal: smalltalk

2.3. Language use during competition versus training

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Formal: competition Informal: training

2.4. Is there a problem with multilingualism?

‘Yes’, according to 14.3% of the interviewees on the political level, 3.0% on sports club level

Do you consider the situation as problematic?- Strongly agree: 0%- Rather agree: 6.3%- Neutral: 10.5%- Rather disagree: 25.9%- Strongly disagree: 27.3%

2.5. General ideas about clubs and language

Strongly agree

Rather agree

Neutral Rather disagree

Strongly disagree

In clubs in Flanders, people must speak Dutch

25.0%

28.2%

13.9%

15.8% 17.1%

In a multilingual environment multilingual clubs are evident

27.8%

28.4%

13.2%

19.6% 11.0%

Multilingual clubs are a good way to bring other language speakers in contact with the Dutch language

38.9%

42.9%

10.0%

5.6% 2.5%

Clubs must not engage in language issues

26.8%

20.5%

22.7%

17.0% 12.9%

2.6. Effect of multilingualism in clubs

Strongly agree

Rather agree

Neutral Rather disagree

Strongly disagree

Encourages formation of cliques

13.9%

23.0%

21.1%

23.3% 18.6%

Causes problems during sports activities

4.2% 12.2%

12.2%

26.6% 44.9%

Stimulate contact with other language speakers, also outside club

15.1 37.5 25.0 15.1 7.4

Different language groups have less negative attitude towards each other

16.5 36.5 29.7 9.7 7.7

2.7. Opportunities for ‘language stimulation?

Broad support for multilingual clubs- only 15% prefers Dutch (monolingual) clubs- for 60% opportunity to practice other languages- evolution towards multilingualism inevitable

willingness to work on language ‘stimulation’- club board: 72.5%- trainers: 67.4%- players: 57.1%

2.8. Implementation of ‘language stimulation’?

Integrate into trainers courses

Organisation: Clubs National Football Association (eventually, if on broader scale)

Financial support: municipality

But: only minority wants real action!!!

3.1. Conclusions: Current situation

Multilingualism is a fact=> the more informal, the more multilingual

Issue due to geographical location:- municipal regulation (political issue)- vague regulation on level of club (financial issue)=> matter of board, trainers and players are often unaware

3.2. Conclusions: Vision on multilingualism

Multilingualism is additional value (personal)

The more multilingual a club is, the more its members appreciate it

Stimulates contact with other language speakers => integrationas long as Dutch is prominent as well

3.3. Conclusions: Future

Evolution towards more multilingualism

Sport central issue, language learning only an opportunity

Trainer central role: good practices

Clubs decide on it, but cannot afford to pay

3.4. Policy Recommendations

Political problem ≠ problem for clubs=> extra attention can be counterproductive=> politicians create problem in clubs

Politics can create framework without obligationsSupport for clubs who take initiatives

Indirect pressure based on local reglementations