Arguing for and examplifying 1) the necessity of studying all languages, even when they are spoken within communities comprising small number of speakers, 2) the values of Bilingualism/ Multilingualism, in general and particulary in the education system. The first theme is at the heart of the wide research program established in CoEDL (see their website). The second theme takes further what has emerged from previous encounters, held in Noumea in 2010 (Academy of Kanak Languages, University of New Caledonia, Agora-SHS: Multilingual School system within Pacific communities), in Sydney in 2015, in Canberra in 2016 (ANU, French Embassy:
Symposium on Bilingualism and Multilingualism in Schools in the Oceania-Pacific-Region).
www.alk.gouv.nc/portal/page/portal/alk/ress_docu/lecoleplurilingue
During five days, wide audience lectures, more specialised seminars and training workshops will be presented.
It is also an opportunity to develop further the linkages between ANU and UNC. That is the reason why the program EHESS@ANU – Pacific Dialogues was keen to promote an initial proposal and is part of the event. The Australian colleagues coming to this symposium are all able to speak French and have accepted to present their works in French, thus enabling the largest possible number of New Caledonian participants to benefit from this event. This generosity from our Anglophones colleagues is strongly appreciated, as was the endeavour by Nicholas Evans to produce a French translation of his book
Dying words ("Ces mots qui meurent…" see web site quoted).
