ENGLISH PROJECT
Case Studies on Linguistic
Chauvinism
Presented by: Shobhan Siddhartha Basireddy
Roll No.:
Class: XII
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CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the project entitled is
authentic work carried out under my
supervision as part of the CBSE
curriculum of class XII ENGLISH and that
it is as per the guidelines issued by CBSE.
To the best of my knowledge, the project is
original, and a bona fide work undertaken
by __________________.
Roll number: ___________ Date: ________________
Internal examiner: _______ Principal: ___________
Signature: _______________ Signature: ____________
2
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my deepest
appreciation to all those who provided me
with the possibility to complete this
project. I would like to thank my English
teacher_____________, whose valuable
guidance has helped me complete this
project. His/ Her suggestions and
instructions have served as a major
contributor toward the completion of the
project. I take this opportunity to thank
our head of the institution,
Ms.__________________ who was always
supportive and helpful in fulfilling all our
academic requirements.
Last but not least; I would like to thank all
my classmates who have helped me to
complete this project.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Sr. No. CONTENT TITLE Page
no.
1 Objective of the project 5
2 Action Plan for the Project 6
Completion
3 Essay 7
4 Conclusion of the Essay 10
5 Reflection- What I learned from 11
this project
6 Bibliography 12
4
OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT
In this essay, I explore the concept of
linguistic chauvinism, examining what it
means, its origins, and its effects. Using real-
life examples and case studies, I explain why
these language biases matter socially. I
highlight the economic and emotional
impacts of language policies through
Alphonse Daudet’s story “The Last Lesson,”
which shows how such policies can
personally affect people. I also include
examples from history and current events to
show that these issues are still relevant
today. By looking at different times and
places, we can understand the importance of
respecting linguistic diversity and the role
language plays in our world.
5
ACTION PLAN FOR THE PROJECT
COMPLETION
To complete my project on linguistic
chauvinism, I'll start by defining my goals and
doing some initial research. Then, I'll outline
my topics and questions, collect data through
reading and case studies, and use a little help
from friends and the internet. I'll organize
and analyse my findings and write a clear
report with examples.
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ESSAY
Linguistic chauvinism is all about having too
much pride in your own language and
thinking it's better than others. This usually
comes from nationalism and oppressive
ideologies and can lead to social conflicts,
cultural extinction, and language
discrimination. Alphonse Daudet’s story "The
Last Lesson" gives a fictional look at this
idea, set during the Franco-Prussian War. It
talks about a small village in Alsace-
Lorraine, France, where schools are ordered
by Berlin to stop teaching French and switch
to German. This forced language change
represents losing cultural identity and
autonomy, cutting ties with their motherland.
The main character, a schoolboy named
Franz, wonders, “Will they make them sing in
German, even the pigeons?” This question
highlights how far the Germans would go to
impose their language. Linguistic chauvinism
often shows up in public institutions,
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education, and media by favouring one
language over others.
The roots of linguistic chauvinism are usually
political and ideological. Though meant to
unify, these policies were seen by many as
cultural suppression. In colonial times,
European powers forced their languages—
like English, French, and Spanish—on
colonized regions, leading to a decline in
indigenous languages and cultures.
The impacts of linguistic chauvinism are deep
and far-reaching. In "The Last Lesson," the
villagers feel a huge loss when they learn
their language won’t be taught anymore. They
gather for the final lesson of their beloved
language, with Mr. Hamel, the French
teacher, representing the fading French
culture in the region. Franz regrets not
paying attention in class, realizing how
important his language is only when it's about
to be taken away.
In reality, linguistic oppression makes people
feel alienated and erodes cultural traditions,
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oral histories, and native knowledge.
Economically, it can trap people in low-
paying jobs and limit access to services for
those not fluent in the dominant language.
Educationally, students who aren’t familiar
with the dominant language might struggle in
school, leading to lower grades or even
dropping out. Plus, linguistic barriers can
make it hard to access important government
benefits and rights.
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CONCLUSION OF THE ESSAY
Linguistic chauvinism messes with all kinds
of things in life, like jobs, education, and
getting the resources you need. People who
speak minority languages often end up in
lower-paying jobs, which makes it tough to
get ahead financially. In school, kids who
aren't fluent in the main language might have
a hard time, leading to bad grades which can
have a negative impact on their mindset. This
can also mean that traditional knowledge and
cultural practices start to fade away as
minority languages get pushed to the side.
Plus, language barriers can make it harder to
access important services, leaving people
more reliant on the dominant society to get
by.
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REFLECTION- WHAT I LEARNED
FROM THIS PROJECT
From learning about linguistic chauvinism, I
realized how favouring one language over
others can really mess things up for people
and communities. It can cause conflicts, wipe
out cultures, and make it hard for those who
speak minority languages to get good jobs
and education. Respecting language diversity
is super important to keep cultures alive and
ensure everyone has equal opportunities. The
stories and examples of linguistic chauvinism
show how language policies can deeply affect
people's lives and identities.
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Bibliography
ASL/ALS CLASS 12 ENGLISH PROJECT | PDF
[Link]
carry-pride-in-ones-language-class-12-english-cbse-
60fa35e8fab9f954261e0d2c
[Link]
english-flamingo-chapter-1/
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