The thesis offers a comparative analysis of language policies in the EU and India. Specifically, it examines the role of power and ideology in the formulation and implementation of language policies. The need for this thesis emerged in view of the lack of comprehensive comparative analyses of language policies which leads to epistemological gaps, including one-dimensional narratives of language policies, and theories which are lacking in precision. In light of these gaps, the thesis undertakes a comprehensive investigation of policies in eight policy domains (administration, legal safeguards for minority languages, law, education, media, healthcare, business, and social welfare) in the EU and India and in two case studies each from the EU (Luxembourg, Wales), and India (Manipur, Tamil Nadu), chosen on the basis of maximum and minimum deviation from the EU's and Indian policies. The study examines policy texts (statutes on language use in these polities), and contexts which concern the historical and socio-political factors underpinning language policies. The thesis makes three important contributions. First, it marks a break from the prevalent understanding of power in macro-level policymaking. Research to date has tended to view power as a monolithic entity, while this thesis offers evidence that power and ideology are not uniform across policy domains. Second, it bridges the text-context divide of language policy research by conducting an investigation of policy-related legislation, and highlighting the importance of texts in understanding language policies, as they reflect the changes in power structures through time. Third, the thesis proposes a new analytical concept for investigating language policies, Categories of Differentiation (COD). Categories of Differentiation refer to the sets of binaries which underpin language policies in the aforementioned case studies. These binaries include the hills-valley divide (Manipur), the Dravidian-Aryan divide (Tamil Nadu), and the autochthonous-allochthonous divide (EU) among others. Language policies have often been described as 'multilayered', and COD offer a systematic approach to exploring these multiple layers. Overall, the thesis demonstrates how comparative research aids understanding of language policies, and sets out a possible theoretical framework for conducting it.

The study investigated language policy and planning in relation to minority languages and specifically Tshwao, a Khoisan language, in Zimbabwe. The purpose of the study was to establish its impact on the current sociolinguistic status of Tshwao. The ultimate goal was to suggest guidelines for the implementation of the Constitution of Zimbabwe (Amendment No. 20) Act, 2013 which officially recognised sixteen languages including ‘Koisan’ and to make recommendations for future language planning for endangered languages in general. The study is qualitative in nature. It used interviews, document analysis, observation and focus groups to gather data. Critical Discourse Analysis and Ethnolinguistic Vitality were the main theories which guided the study. The study showed that even though Tshwao is the Khoisan language that is popular, there are several other varieties such as Jitshwa, Xaise, Cirecire and Ganade and they are all endangered with very low demographic, status and institutional support. The Khoisan people have shifted to Ndebele and Kalanga, languages which are spoken by their neighbours. Both linguistic and extra-linguistic factors were shown in the study to have affected the maintenance of Khoisan languages. Numerical domination of the Khoisan by the Bantu people, subjugation by Mzilikazi during his conquests as well as selective development of languages by missionaries led to assimilation and language marginalisation. The implementation of discriminatory land, wildlife and language polices by the colonial government also resulted in relocations, language contact situations and dispersed settlements, all of which affected language maintenance. In the post-independence era, political instability, official and unofficial language policies were shown as having perpetuated the plight of Khoisan languages, including Tshwao. The constitution emerged as a milestone towards upholding minority languages. Its effectiveness is however compromised by inaccuracies and ambiguities in the manner in which provisions are crafted. The study concludes that Khoisan language endangerment spans from history. Formal and informal language policies contributed to the current state of endangerment. It further concludes that if effective revitalisation is to be done in line with implementing the constitution, all the factors which contributed to endangerment have to be taken into account. The study also suggests a separate guideline for the promotion of minority languages in general and displaced and endangered languages like Tshwao in particular. / Linguistics and Modern Languages / D. Phil. (Linguistics)

Risk analysis is a very important keystone for preparation of the rescue system during a disastrous situation. It defines risks which are needed for the rescue system in given timeline. It also provides basic data regarding necessary preparation of rescue forces and resources within the defined area. Of course it is not the most perfect instrument for crisis set-up as it cannot, on the whole, express the risks and threats while talking about recent phenomenon such as terrorism etc. In these cases risk analysis can only come out from scenarios and geopolitical situations or experiences from previous disasters that the world has already experienced. Risk analysis answers questions such as - what can happen, how it will happen, where this could happen, how many people can be in danger or affected. The result is a model system of an operation during this nonstandard disastrous situation for the whole system which is ready to help the people in danger. The theoretical part of the diploma thesis describes characteristic of the area, where the risk analysis was made for Integrated Rescue System set-up, risks according to specific industrial activities and public health risks. The following chapters are dedicated to specific basic and other elements of the Integrated Rescue System, the basic elements are stated in further details. The most detailed part is the paramedics, because the risk analysis focuses primarily on their activities within the framework of incidents affecting public health. Within this topic the legislative basis is written in detail, in the meaning of Type Activities, levels of alarms, trauma plans, activation of forces and resources of Integrated Rescue System in case of public health affection report and other law-based keystones for the operation of basic elements, laws, regulations, statutory rules, declaratory regulations and other documents, complemented by Crisis Management problems. The operation of Fire Fighter Department, Police of the Czech Republic and other elements of the Integrated Rescue System is also stated up according to the thesis topic including a chapter about a co-operation of all above mentioned elements in a place of mass people endangerment. Health Care Crisis Management chapter closes the theoretical part of the thesis, and it is an integral part of managing disastrous situations in order to maintain the standard care administration even outside the area of disastrous incidents. The trauma plan of Paramedic provider and in-patient or day-care providers is being studied trough in detail right in this chapter. Summarized data within the health care securement in municipalities with extended effectiveness including the surrounded medical facilities can be found in the practical part of this thesis. According to data collection the summary of the most critical events the Paramedics had to deal with in Kralupy nad Vltavou selected municipalities with extended effectiveness in the last fifteen years. Ten years ago the methodical Integrated Rescue System training with focus on operational cooperation was carried out as a terroristic attack in Kralupy nad Vltavou. The results of this training came out as comments with actual risks and threats in the chapter called "Results". The core of the practical part is Medical Risk Analysis according to FMEA risk analysis compared with risk analysis from municipality with extended effectiveness listed in the Emergency plan of Central Bohemia Region. Based on the research forces and resources of basic integrated rescue system components are mentioned, which were the first to be sent to solve a disastrous situation including medical equipment. In conclusion of the practical part risk modelling with situation review is mentioned.

In der Dissertation wird untersucht, ob die bereits eingetretenen Änderungen des Klimas und weiterer Standortsfaktoren im Erzgebirge und vorgelagertem Hügelland zu Verlagerungen der Verbreitungsschwerpunkte von Pflanzenarten in ihrer Höhenverbreitung geführt haben. Eine weitere Untersuchungsfrage ist die Begünstigung oder Gefährdung bestimmter Arten infolge der Standortsänderungen. Betrachtet werden 27 Pflanzenarten, sowohl Baum- und Straucharten als auch krautige Pflanzen. Zur Klärung der Fragen werden die Zeiträume 1946 – 1980 und 1981 – 2015 verglichen. Die Auswertung erfolgt auf der Basis von Messtischblatt-Viertelquadranten für die Standortsfaktoren mittlere Meereshöhe, Jahresmitteltemperatur, durchschnittlicher Jahresniederschlag sowie vorherrschender Bodentyp. In der Diskussion werden zusätzlich die Veränderungen in der Land-, Forst- und Jagdwirtschaft sowie die Wirkungen der Immissionsbelastungen und Bodenschutzkalkungen betrachtet. Schwerpunkte umfangreicher statistischer Auswertungen sind die Analyse der Verbreitung in den Untersuchungszeiträumen und die Ermittlung der Wahrscheinlichkeit von Artvorkommen. Eine gesonderte Fragestellung ist die genetische Untersuchung von Prunus padus. Dazu wurden Vorkommen im Tief-, Hügel- und Bergland ausgewählt. Der bisherige Anstieg der Jahresmitteltemperaturen hat nicht grundsätzlich zu einer Verschiebung der Verbreitungsschwerpunkte in höhere Gebirgslagen geführt. Die Pflanzenarten können hinsichtlich ihrer Verbreitung sowie im Vergleich der Untersuchungsperioden in Gruppen geordnet werden. Bei einigen Pflanzenarten, die in höhere Lagen des Untersuchungsgebietes vordringen, fällt eine enge Bindung der Vorkommenswahrscheinlichkeit an den Faktor Jahresmitteltemperatur auf. Andererseits werden bislang submontan bis montan verbreitete Arten nicht generell in die Hochlagen zurückgedrängt. Die Wirkungen der Klimaänderung können deshalb nicht losgelöst von anderen Faktoren beurteilt werden.

This dissertation investigates the revitalisation of Tonga, an endangered minority language in Zimbabwe. It seeks to establish why the Tonga people embarked on the revitalisation of their language, the strategies they used, the challenges they encountered and how they managed them. The Human Needs Theory propounded by Burton (1990) and Yamamoto’s (1998) Nine Factors Language Revitalisation Model formed the theoretical framework within which the data were analysed. This case-study identified various socio-cultural and historical factors that influenced the revitalisation of the Tonga language. Despite the socio-economic and political challenges from both within and outside the Tonga community, the Tonga revitalisation initiative was to a large extent a success, thanks to the speech community’s positive attitude and ownership of the language revitalisation process. It not only restored the use of Tonga in the home domain but also extended the language function into the domains of education, the media, and religion. / Linguistics and Modern Languages / M.A. (Sociolinguistics)

In der Dissertation wird untersucht, ob die bereits eingetretenen Änderungen des Klimas und weiterer Standortsfaktoren im Erzgebirge und vorgelagertem Hügelland zu Verlagerungen der Verbreitungsschwerpunkte von Pflanzenarten in ihrer Höhenverbreitung geführt haben. Eine weitere Untersuchungsfrage ist die Begünstigung oder Gefährdung bestimmter Arten infolge der Standortsänderungen. Betrachtet werden 27 Pflanzenarten, sowohl Baum- und Straucharten als auch krautige Pflanzen. Zur Klärung der Fragen werden die Zeiträume 1946 – 1980 und 1981 – 2015 verglichen. Die Auswertung erfolgt auf der Basis von Messtischblatt-Viertelquadranten für die Standortsfaktoren mittlere Meereshöhe, Jahresmitteltemperatur, durchschnittlicher Jahresniederschlag sowie vorherrschender Bodentyp. In der Diskussion werden zusätzlich die Veränderungen in der Land-, Forst- und Jagdwirtschaft sowie die Wirkungen der Immissionsbelastungen und Bodenschutzkalkungen betrachtet. Schwerpunkte umfangreicher statistischer Auswertungen sind die Analyse der Verbreitung in den Untersuchungszeiträumen und die Ermittlung der Wahrscheinlichkeit von Artvorkommen. Eine gesonderte Fragestellung ist die genetische Untersuchung von Prunus padus. Dazu wurden Vorkommen im Tief-, Hügel- und Bergland ausgewählt. Der bisherige Anstieg der Jahresmitteltemperaturen hat nicht grundsätzlich zu einer Verschiebung der Verbreitungsschwerpunkte in höhere Gebirgslagen geführt. Die Pflanzenarten können hinsichtlich ihrer Verbreitung sowie im Vergleich der Untersuchungsperioden in Gruppen geordnet werden. Bei einigen Pflanzenarten, die in höhere Lagen des Untersuchungsgebietes vordringen, fällt eine enge Bindung der Vorkommenswahrscheinlichkeit an den Faktor Jahresmitteltemperatur auf. Andererseits werden bislang submontan bis montan verbreitete Arten nicht generell in die Hochlagen zurückgedrängt. Die Wirkungen der Klimaänderung können deshalb nicht losgelöst von anderen Faktoren beurteilt werden.