Foreign Language Learning Attitudes and Practices in the Republic of Moldova (Research Brief)

This project is focused on the roles of widely studied foreign languages within the contentiously multilingual Republic of Moldova. While much of the dispute over language policy and use focuses on the relationship between the official language (variously referred to as Moldovan or Romanian) and minority Russian, the balance in bilingualism among these two and other minority languages is heavily influenced by dominant foreign languages, such as English, French, and German, in the linguistic repertoires of Moldovan citizens. Using a language attitude and use survey and follow-up interviews with some survey respondents, this study explores the roles of foreign languages in the linguistic practices and policies of Moldovan society.

Matthew Ciscel, of Central Connecticut State University, was a  2011-2012 Short-Term Travel Grants (STG) fellow.