Language Planning and Policy

Language Planning is all conscious efforts that aim at changing the linguistic behavior of a speech community. is all conscious efforts that aim at changing the linguistic behavior of a speech community. English vs. German Immigrants

Language Policy is the more general linguistic, political and social goals underlying the actual language planning process. is the more general linguistic, political and social goals underlying the actual language planning process. U.S. Government vs. Native American languages

Two types of Language Planning Heinz Kloss 1.Corpus Planning is the internal structure of the language. Activities include a writing system for a spoken language, initiating spelling reforms, creating new terms and publishing grammar books. 2.Status Planning refers to all efforts undertaken to change the use and function of a language or language variety within a given society.

Einar Haugen’s View Language planning is a technocratic process concerned with systematizing and cultivating a standardized language code to solve problems. Emphasized the importance of the written standard over the spoken. Emphasized the importance of the written standard over the spoken. Dialects (regional or social) hamper communication. Dialects (regional or social) hamper communication. Concerned with equality among standard languages, non-standard languages are problematic. Concerned with equality among standard languages, non-standard languages are problematic. Neoclassical-autonomous approach

Neoclassical Approach vs. Historical Approach Tollefson (1991) Neoclassical Individual choice Individual choice Current language situation Current language situation Evaluation is in ahistorical and amoral terms Evaluation is in ahistorical and amoral terms This model assumes that the field of applied linguistics and teachers are apolitical This model assumes that the field of applied linguistics and teachers are apoliticalHistorical Historical-structural influence of socio-historical factors on language use Historical-structural influence of socio-historical factors on language use Considers past relationships between groups Considers past relationships between groups Concerned with issues of class dominance and oppression Concerned with issues of class dominance and oppression Political stance is inescapable for those who avoid political questions in advertently support the status quo. Political stance is inescapable for those who avoid political questions in advertently support the status quo.

Autonomous vs. Ideological Street (1984) Autonomous Literacy is a “NEUTRAL” technology which can be detached from social context Literacy is a “NEUTRAL” technology which can be detached from social context Literacy can be isolated as an independent variable Literacy can be isolated as an independent variable Sets up a dichotomy between written and oral modes of communication Sets up a dichotomy between written and oral modes of communicationIdeological Concentrates on the “social practices” of reading and writing & recognizes these practices are culturally embedded Concentrates on the “social practices” of reading and writing & recognizes these practices are culturally embedded Literacy is a “socially constructed practice” having different meaning for different groups Literacy is a “socially constructed practice” having different meaning for different groups Considers overlap of the oral and literate modes Considers overlap of the oral and literate modes

Haugen’s Framework… 4 Phases of Language Planning 1)Selection 2)Codification 3)Implementation 4)Elaboration/Modernization

1. Selection is the term used to refer to the choice of a language variety to fulfill certain functions in a given society.

2. Codification The creation of a linguistic standard or norm for a selected linguistic code. It is divided up into three stages: 1) Graphisation – developing a writing system. 2) Grammatication – deciding on rules/norms of grammar 3) Lexicalisation – identifying the vocabulary

Western Apache Writing System “Prayer for Life”

Apache Language Today The Apache language adopted the Latin alphabet for their written representation, adding symbols to indicate unique sounds in their language. This was largely due to the influence of missionaries translating the Bible into the Apache language. There are no standardized spellings. Words are spelled phonetically. Chris Harvey

3. Implementation Promoting of the decisions made in the stages of selection and codification which can include marketing strategy, production of books, pamphlets, newspapers, and textbooks using the new codified standard. Implementation can be either vigorous legal enforcement (Native Americans in BIA boarding-schools) or encouragement (Spanish province of Catalonia, where the use of Catalan is encouraged, but not enforced).

Implementation example… Posters in Language Classrooms

4. Elaboration/Modernization Refers to the terminology and stylistic development of a codified language to meet the communicative demands of modern life and technology. Its main area is the production and dissemination of new terms. Elaboration is an ever evolving process…

Lexical Modernization Three strategies: 1)Borrowing 2)Extension of the meaning of a native term 3)Creation of the new terms (neologisms) 1) Portable Document File (PDF) 2) Trash Can - (Ko) - Fire 3) Power Cable - (Kqh bitl’ool) - Electricity’s Rope

Boss

Dialects in Thailand

First Thai script 1283 by Sukhothai's kings, Ramkamhaeng the Great

1871, in the reign of Rama V the Command Declaration on Schooling was issued Rama V

Language planning: Thai Since King Rama V ( ) Since King Rama V ( ) Official language: Thai Official language: Thai regulated by the Thai Royal Institute regulated by the Thai Royal Institute Assimilation policy Assimilation policy Political goal Political goal Acquisition planning: Ministry of Education Acquisition planning: Ministry of Education

1800s, Rama IV imposed English as a new educational requirement

Language planning: English in Thailand Current compulsory education (year 1-12) Current compulsory education (year 1-12) Bilingual schools Bilingual schools International schools (88 established) International schools (88 established)

Adam

CASE STUDY: SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa

Multilingual vs. Monolingual Multilingual vs. Monolingual Which context viewed as problematic? Which context viewed as problematic? Who decides? Who decides?

LANGUAGE AS CODE LANGUAGE AS CODE VS VS LANGUAGE AS SOCIAL BEHAVIOR LANGUAGE AS SOCIAL BEHAVIOR

Liebowitz (1974) “Language policy as social control” “Language policy as social control”

Ruiz (1984) Three contrasting views of Language Three contrasting views of Language –As a problem –As a right –As a resource

SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT “Official” stance “Official” stance –South Africa should be a fully functional multilingual society

A critique of the “official” policy “Too idealistic” “Too idealistic” –Mfanafuthi Mgqwashu (2004)

REVISITING THE CASE OF SOUTH AFRICA AND ITS LANGUAGE POLICY REVISITING THE CASE OF SOUTH AFRICA AND ITS LANGUAGE POLICY

Language Planning and Policy