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.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Definitions of Language Policy and Language Planning
2.1 Language Policy
2.2 Language Planning
3. Different Branches of Language Policy and Language Planning
3.1 Corpus Planning
3.2 Status Planning
3.3 Acquisition Planning
3.4 Usage Planning
3.5 Prestige Planning
3.6 Discourse Planning
4. Reasons for Language Policy and Language Planning
5. Goals of Language Policy and Language Planning
6. Language Policy and Language Planning: How is it implemented?
6.1 Corpus Planning in Catalonia
6.2 Status Planning in Catalonia
6.3 Acquisition Planning in Catalonia
7. Criticism
8. Problems and Results
9. Discussion
10. Conclusion
11. Bibliography
Research Objectives and Themes
This work examines the mechanisms of Language Planning and Language Policy (LPLP) as a means to regulate language usage, manage cultural identity, and address the preservation of endangered languages within modern, globalized societies, using Catalonia as a central case study.
- The theoretical definition and categorization of LPLP branches (Corpus, Status, Acquisition, Usage, Prestige, and Discourse Planning).
- The socio-political motivations and goals behind implementing national and regional language policies.
- A practical application of LPLP theories through an analysis of the linguistic revitalization of the Catalan language in Spain.
- A critical evaluation of the effectiveness and inherent challenges of language planning, including issues of social justice and potential political backlash.
Excerpt from the Book
1. Introduction
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.
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.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the significance of Language Planning and Language Policy in a globalized world and introduces the case study of Catalonia.
2. Definitions of Language Policy and Language Planning: Defines the core concepts of Language Policy as rule-setting and Language Planning as the practical implementation of those rules.
3. Different Branches of Language Policy and Language Planning: Explores the distinct approaches to language management, including Corpus, Status, Acquisition, Usage, Prestige, and Discourse planning.
4. Reasons for Language Policy and Language Planning: Discusses the multifaceted motivations for language intervention, such as managing multilingual territories and protecting endangered languages.
5. Goals of Language Policy and Language Planning: Details the primary objectives of language planning, ranging from language purification to interlingual communication.
6. Language Policy and Language Planning: How is it implemented?: Examines practical implementation frameworks, focusing specifically on the revitalization of Catalan through Corpus, Status, and Acquisition planning.
7. Criticism: Addresses the challenges and limitations of LPLP, including linguistic pluralism, diglossia, and ethical concerns.
8. Problems and Results: Analyzes real-world issues in language policy, comparing examples like Luxembourgish and Catalan with the situation in countries like Switzerland.
9. Discussion: Evaluates the future of endangered languages and the lessons learned from successful preservation efforts in various regions.
10. Conclusion: Summarizes the impact of LPLP on social cohabitation and highlights the vital importance of protecting languages as pillars of cultural identity.
Keywords
Language Policy, Language Planning, LPLP, Catalonia, Catalan, Linguistic Normalization, Corpus Planning, Status Planning, Acquisition Planning, Language Preservation, Endangered Languages, Sociolinguistics, Language Revitalization, Cultural Identity, Bilingualism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this publication?
The work explores the theory and implementation of Language Policy and Language Planning (LPLP) and how these mechanisms affect language status and use, particularly concerning endangered indigenous languages.
What are the primary branches of language planning discussed?
The author details six branches: Corpus Planning, Status Planning, Acquisition Planning, Usage Planning, Prestige Planning, and Discourse Planning.
What is the main research question?
The study investigates how LPLP is implemented, its goals, and whether it serves as an effective tool for managing language conflicts and preserving cultural identity, using the historical and modern context of Catalonia as a primary case study.
Which methodology is employed in this study?
The author uses a qualitative approach, combining literature review on sociolinguistic theories with an empirical analysis of political, legal, and educational documents regarding language normalization in Catalonia.
What topics are covered in the main section of the book?
The main section covers the theoretical framework of LPLP, the rationale behind these policies, and a detailed look at how Catalonia has implemented specific strategies to revitalize the Catalan language after the Franco era.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include Language Planning, Language Policy, Catalan, Linguistic Normalization, Status Planning, Corpus Planning, and Language Preservation.
How does the author view the link between language and political conflict?
The author argues that language is deeply connected to power and identity, and its suppression can lead to enduring social conflicts, while proactive LPLP can theoretically act as a tool for reconciliation.
What specific lessons does the book draw from the Catalan case?
The case of Catalonia highlights that revitalizing a language requires a combination of top-down legal legitimation, such as its status in the Statute of Autonomy, and bottom-up educational implementation to ensure the language remains vital for future generations.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Daniel Jung (Autor:in), 2019, Tackling Language Problems via Language Planning and Language Policy? Viability and Challenges using the Example of Catalonia, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/509681
