1. National Languages and
Sociolinguistics
Chapter 5
National Languages and
Language Planning

2. Learning Objectives National and official languages
Planning for a national official language
The linguist’s role in language planning

3. National Language
A national language is the language of a political, cultural and social unit. It is used to identify the nation and unite the people of the nation.
Example 1
Guaraní in Paraguay
Exercise 1

4. Official Language
An official language is simply a language which may be used for government business. Its function is primarily characterised by usefulness rather than symbolic sense.
Example 2
Bislama in Vanuatu

5. Official status and minority languages
English often shares official status with an indigenous language:
Malay in Malaysia
Swahili in Tanzania
Example 3

6. What price a national language?
Many countries regarded the development of a single national language as a way of symbolising the unity of a nation.

7. Planning for a National Official Language
Selection
Codification
Elaboration
Acceptance

8. Language Planning in Different Countries
Lingua franca as a national official language e.g. Tanzania
Exercise 4
A “H” and a new standard form based on “Ls” as two competing official languages
e.g. Norway
Exercise 7
Several national languages and official languages
e.g. India

9. The linguist’s role in language planning
Codification of orthography
Developing vocabulary
Acceptance
Acquisition planning
Exercise 9

10. Language Planning in Hong Kong
Historical and political development
Economic development
The impact of historical, political, and economic development on the language situation in Hong Kong
Ordinances on official languages in Hong Kong
Definition problems
The national language
Language policy

11. Historical and Political Development
First Opium War
Second Opium War
1898 The New Territories and the outlying islands were leased to Britain for 99 years
1997 China resumed sovereignty in Hong Kong

15. Economic Development 1841 Fishing port 1945-1950s Entrepôt
1960s-1970s Manufacturing hub
1980s-present International financial centre

16. NyLonKong

17. Impact on the language situation
The existence of English alongside Chinese, even after China resumed sovereignty in Hong Kong

18. Ordinances on official languages
1. The Official Languages Ordinance (1974)
2. The Official Languages Ordinance amendment (1987)
3. The Basic Law (1997)

19. The Official Languages Ordinance (1974)
The official languages possess equal status and, subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, enjoy equality of use for the purposes of communication between the Government or any public officer and members of the public and for court proceedings.
(Chapter 5, Section 3)

20. The Basic Law (1997)
In addition to the Chinese language, English may also be used as an official by the executive authorities, legislature and judiciary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
(Chapter 1 Article 9)

21. Definition problems
The variant(s) of spoken and written Chinese are not defined in the legal documents.

22. Chinese in Hong Kong Modern Standard Chinese
Written Modern Standard Chinese
Putonghua
Cantonese
Written Cantonese
Spoken Cantonese

23. Modern Standard Chinese
Putonghua
PU-TONG HUA
普通 話
common language

24. The National Language
The concept of ‘national language’ was vague to Hong Kong people during the colonial period.
In the post-colonial period, the Hong Kong government starts to promote the national language – Putonghua.

25. Language Policy
Official Languages
Chinese
Putonghua
Cantonese
English

26. Biliteracy
All children studying at local government-aided schools learn both Chinese and English from Primary 1 for 12 years through the end of senior secondary education.

27. Trilingualism Year Percentage 1991 29.4% 1996 34.9% 2001 39.8% 2006
Proportion of the population able to speak English as another language
Year
Percentage
1991
29.4%
1996
34.9%
2001
39.8%
2006
41.9%
2011
42.6%
Source: Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong Government

28. Trilingualism Year Percentage 1991 16.9% 1996 24.2% 2001 33.3% 2006
Proportion of the population able to speak Putonghua as another language
Year
Percentage
1991
16.9%
1996
24.2%
2001
33.3%
2006
39.2%
2011
46.5%
Source: Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong Government