ABSTRACT
I have discussed in general terms the fortunes of languages in contact, and one of the clearest matters to emerge is the place of language within the larger social context. The symbolic attachments to language were mentioned, as was its interrelationship with other cultural aspects of life. What we observe, in a word, is the intertwining of language with group identity and it is to this that I wish to turn now in some greater detail; specifically, we should consider ethnic and national affiliations, and the role of language within them.
