HomeLinguistic insecurity

Linguistic insecurity

L’insécurité linguistique

Revue « Études en didactique des langues EDL »

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Published on Friday, February 27, 2026

Abstract

The concept of linguistic insecurity emerged in the 1960s with the work of William Labov who believed that language reflects social stratification. This notion is used mainly by sociolinguists and language teachers and researchers. What links may exist between linguistic competence and insecurity? The subject remains relatively taboo in the teaching of foreign languages, be it for the language taught or the language of the country where it is taught. How can this phenomenon be defined and what are its contours? How can it bebe measured? How do feelings shift depending on context, experience, language, or other factors? What possible remedies or strategies are available to language teachers? 

Announcement

Argument

The concept of linguistic insecurity emerged in the 1960s with the work of William Labov (1966), who believed that language reflects social stratification. This notion is used mainly by sociolinguists and language teachers and researchers. It refers to a feeling of discomfort or doubt when using a language, which causes stress at the idea of making a mistake, particularly in formal contexts where there is a dominant norm, whether real or perceived. Linguistic insecurity is reinforced by school and school culture. This phenomenon affects teachers of their own language as well as those teaching an additional language, although it is more pronounced among the latter.  What links may exist between linguistic competence and insecurity? The subject remains relatively taboo in the teaching of foreign languages, be it for the language taught or the language of the country where it is taught.  This insecurity is produced mainly when speaking, a feeling of vulnerability and illegitimacy in relation to an idealized model, due to fear of how one is perceived. This can have several causes and effects (blockages, mutism, inferiority complex). It can also be denied as it refers to something deeply personal and complex.  How can this phenomenon be defined and what are its contours? How can it bebe measured? How do feelings shift depending on context, experience, language, or other factors? What possible remedies or strategies are available to language teachers?

Submission guidelins

Complete contributions should be sent directly, as there is no preliminary selection of proposals. They may be written in French or English. Manuscripts (between 6,000 and 10,000 words), addressing one of the subjects above, will respect the style sheet available on-line.


Date(s)

  • Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Keywords

  • insécurité linguistique, didactique des langues, langue initiale, langue étrangère, illégitimité, complexe

Contact(s)

  • Nicole Decure
    courriel : edl [at] mailo [dot] com
  • Nicole Decure
    courriel : edl [at] mailo [dot] com

Information source

  • Elisabeth Crosnier
    courriel : elisabeth [dot] crosnier [at] orange [dot] fr

License

CC0-1.0 This announcement is licensed under the terms of Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal.

To cite this announcement

« Linguistic insecurity », Call for papers, Calenda, Published on Friday, February 27, 2026, https://doi.org/10.58079/15ruc

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