Teaching and Learning Tibetan: The Role of the Tibetan Language in Tibet's Future. Roundtable before the Congressional-Executive Commission on China. One Hundred Eighth Congress, First Session (April 7, 2003).

Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Mail Stop SSOP, Washington, DC 20402-0001. Tel: 202-512-1800; Fax: 202-512-2250; Web site: http://www.bookstore.gpo.gov. For full text: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=108_house_hearings&docid=f:87398.pdf.

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Bilingualism; Chinese; Cultural Influences; Foreign Countries; Futures (of Society); Language Maintenance; Language Usage; Political Influences; Sociolinguistics; Tibetan; Uncommonly Taught Languages

This roundtable focused on issues related to the role of the Tibetan language in Tibet's future. A statement by Nicolas Tournadre, Associate Professor of Linguistics, the University of Paris, France, addresses "The Dynamics of Tibetan-Chinese Bilingualism: The Current Situation and Future Prospects" (e.g., the first regulation protecting Tibetan in China, Tibetan-Chinese mixed speech, language levels, causes of decline and marginalization, and consequences of the current linguistic policy). A statement by David Germano, Professor, Tibetan and Buddhist Studies, the University of Virginia, United States, offers "A Brief Survey of Issues Relating to Tibetan Language in the 21st Century" (e.g., the situation of Tibetan in Tibetan culture in the 21st century, the value of Tibetan to modern Tibetan culture, possible futures of Tibetan, and opportunities for the U.S. government). A statement by Losang Rabgey, commonwealth scholar and Ph.D. candidate at the school of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, England, discusses the paradox of Litang county, education in Chungba Valley, and bilingualism and biculturalism in diaspora. The three prepared statements are appended. (SM)

2004

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