Idealism or pragmatism?
Résumé
This chapter aims at setting out a transitory fair language regime for migrants.
I show that a lingua franca regime in “Open English” can co-exist with linguistic
diversity and ad hoc multilingualism, and that this regime can be sustained transitionally
by bilingual bridge-speakers. Democratic requirements of inclusion
and parity of esteem can be achieved through a creative non-permanent linguistic
arrangement via ad hoc multilingualism plus Open English, particularily relevant
in intermediary institutions and situations where newcomers are not (yet)
competent in the host-country’s language.