Laurie M. Bridges
Associate Librarian / Instruction and Outreach Librarian
Oregon State University
This presentation will include discussion of the issue of linguistic diversity on the internet. The fact that most of the content is accessible in only the most frequently spoken languages in the world is obviously an obstacle to universal freedom of access to information, but also for freedom of expression. Indeed, an opinion expressed in English has a much larger audience, and therefore more weight, than an opinion expressed in an uncommon native language. What are the facts and figures regarding these issues today? How can libraries and other public institutions contribute to linguistic diversity online?
Slides from presentation given at the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA):