Language Planning and Language Policy (LPLP) is an established process to manage and regulate the relationships and functions of languages within one national territory and saving endangered languages that becomes more and more important in a globalized community. Due to economic developments, the migration that goes along with, cultural exchange and other recent developments, indigenous languages are more endangered than ever before. According to the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues of the United Nations Economic and Social Council
[...] estimates suggest that more than half of the world’s languages will become extinct by 2100 [...]. At present, 96 per cent of the world’s approximately 6,700 languages are spoken by only 3 per cent of the world’s population (Source: United Nations 2016)
Saving indigenous languages and managing and regulating their function within society is of utmost importance, since indigenous languages
[...] are not only methods of communication but also extensive and complex systems of knowledge that have developed over millenniums. They are central to the identity of indigenous peoples, the preservation of their cultures, worldviews and visions and an expression of self-determination. Indigenous languages are critical markers of the cultural health of indigenous peoples. When indigenous languages are under threat, so too are indigenous peoples themselves (United Nations 2016)
LPLP is one of the possible solutions to this problem. However, although LPLP is an established process it does pose certain problems in its implementation and may lead to cultural segregation. There are examples of successful implementations of LPLP, such as Canada’s handling of the language problems concerning the use of French in Quebec. There, facilitating the framework for the coexistence of both French and English in Canada has helped to mitigate the language problems.
In a first step the concepts of Language Policy and Language Planning will be defined in order to understand its implications and the reasons and goals whichthey aim to achieve. Then a look at the different branches of LPLP will be taken before the different methods of implementation will be presented and the connected challenges and criticism before we can reach a conclusion on the viability of LPLP as a tool for tackling language problems and what has to be considered in a possible implementation scenario by the example of Catalonia.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Definitions of Language Policy and Language Planning
- Language Policy
- Language Planning
- Different Branches of Language Policy and Language Planning
- Corpus Planning
- Status Planning
- Acquisition Planning
- Usage Planning
- Prestige Planning
- Discourse Planning
- Reasons for Language Policy and Language Planning
- Goals of Language Policy and Language Planning
- Language Policy and Language Planning: How is it implemented?
- Corpus Planning in Catalonia
- Status Planning in Catalonia
- Acquisition Planning in Catalonia
- Criticism
- Problems and Results
- Discussion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This text examines the concept of Language Policy and Language Planning (LPLP) and its application in managing and regulating the use of languages within a national territory, particularly focusing on the preservation of endangered languages. It aims to explore the rationale, goals, and different branches of LPLP, including corpus, status, acquisition, usage, prestige, and discourse planning.
- The significance and challenges of preserving endangered languages in a globalized world.
- The role of Language Policy and Language Planning in managing language use and promoting language diversity.
- The implementation of LPLP strategies, with specific examples from Catalonia.
- The potential impact of LPLP on cultural identity and social cohesion.
- The complexities and controversies surrounding LPLP and its effectiveness in addressing language problems.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction provides an overview of the importance of Language Planning and Policy (LPLP) in a globalized context, highlighting the challenge of preserving endangered languages. It discusses the need for LPLP as a tool to manage language use and promote language diversity, citing examples of successful and unsuccessful implementations. The chapter also sets the stage for exploring the various branches of LPLP and its application in different contexts.
Chapter 2 defines the concepts of Language Policy and Language Planning, providing a comprehensive overview of their roles and functions in shaping language use within a nation or country. It explores the relationship between these two concepts, outlining the ways in which Language Policy sets the guidelines and rules for language use, while Language Planning encompasses the process of implementing these policies. The chapter also examines how Language Policy and Language Planning can be used to promote and protect specific languages, including endangered languages, and to manage the relationship between different languages within a society.
Chapter 3 delves into the different branches of Language Policy and Language Planning. This chapter covers corpus planning, which focuses on the development and standardization of a language, status planning, which deals with the official status and recognition of languages, and acquisition planning, which aims to promote language learning and literacy. It also discusses usage planning, which seeks to regulate the use of language in different domains and social contexts, prestige planning, which involves promoting the status and prestige of a language, and discourse planning, which focuses on the development and use of language in specific contexts.
Chapter 4 investigates the underlying reasons for implementing Language Policy and Language Planning. It examines the motivations behind these policies, including the need to protect endangered languages, promote national identity, facilitate communication and social cohesion, and address language inequalities.
Chapter 5 explores the various goals that Language Policy and Language Planning aim to achieve. This chapter discusses the objectives of these policies, such as promoting language diversity, ensuring access to education and information in different languages, preserving cultural heritage, and fostering social inclusion.
Chapter 6 delves into the practical implementation of Language Policy and Language Planning, providing examples of how these policies have been implemented in different countries and regions. It examines the strategies and mechanisms used to implement these policies, including legislation, educational reforms, language promotion initiatives, and the establishment of language planning institutions.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Language Policy and Language Planning, endangered languages, linguistic diversity, national identity, cultural heritage, corpus planning, status planning, acquisition planning, usage planning, prestige planning, discourse planning, globalization, language management, language regulation, Catalonia, Spain, Quebec, Canada.
- Quote paper
- Daniel Jung (Author), 2019, Tackling Language Problems via Language Planning and Language Policy? Viability and Challenges using the Example of Catalonia, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/509681
