LANGUAGE PLANNING
AND
LANGUAGE ATTITUDES
Language Planning
“The process of language planning involves the assessing of language
resources, assigning preferences and functions to such language(s) as well
as developing their use according to previously determined objectives”
(Nkopuruk, 2018)
It is a deliberate and systematic attempt by individuals, government or
institutions to alter or adapt the structure, use or status of a language,
dialect or variety.
Language planning aims at language regulation, promotion, protection or
revitalisation.
Status Planning
01.
Types of
The acknowledgment of a
language, dialect or variety
and provision of specific
societal roles (official, medium
in education)
Language 02.
Corpus Planning
Creation or alteration of a
formal structure of a language,
Planning
dialect or variety and
publication of public resources
to support these changes.
Acquisition Planning
03.
Promotion of the language
with the intent to increase the
number of speakers of a
specific language, dialect or
variety.
Language Policy
Language policy refers to a set of official or institutional guidelines,
regulations, laws, and decisions that govern the use, status, and
management of languages within a particular region, country, or
community.
Planning and Policy
Official Language Policy
Planning: Declaring one or more languages as official for
government and public communication.
Example: Canada has English and French and others as its official
languages in various states. English and French are both official
languages and government institutions provide services and
documents in both languages to reflect the country's bilingual
character.
Planning and Policy
Language Standardization
Planning: Developing and promoting a standardized form of a
language.
Example: The creation and promotion of Modern Standard Arabic in
Arab countries. Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) comes from Classical
(or Quranic) Arabic, the language which the Quran is written in.
MSA is used across the Arab World.
Planning and Policy
Language Education Policies
Planning: Implementing specific language teaching methods or
curricula.
Example: A country mandating the teaching of multiple languages in
schools. For example in Singapore, language education policies
promote bilingualism, with English and the mother tongue (such as
Mandarin, Malay, or Tamil) being taught in schools to maintain
cultural and linguistic ties.
Planning and Policy
Language Revitalization Programs
Planning: Initiatives to revive endangered or minority languages.
1. Example: Efforts to preserve and revitalize Native American
languages in the United States.
2. In New Zealand, there are language revitalization programs for
the Māori language. Efforts include integrating Māori language
education into schools and promoting its use in various domains.
Language Attitudes
Language attitudes are the perceptions, beliefs, and emotions that
individuals and communities feel about and express towards
different languages or language varieties.
Language Attitudes
Language Prestige
Attitude: Considering a particular language, variety or dialect as
prestigious or superior to other varieties.
Example: Valuing the Standard English variety over regional varieties. In
India, English is often considered prestigious, especially in urban areas and
professional settings. Proficiency in English is associated with social and
economic status.
Language Attitudes
• Language Stigma:
Attitude: Associating negative stereotypes with a certain language or
dialect.
1. Example: Stereotyping a non-native English speaker based on their
accent.
2. In the United States, certain regional accents, such as a Southern
accent, may be stigmatized, and individuals speaking with these accents
might face stereotypes.
Language Attitudes
Language Loyalty
Attitude: Fiercely supporting and preserving one's native language or
advocating for the use and protection of a regional language.
Example: In Catalonia, Spain, there is a strong language loyalty to Catalan.
Many people in the region actively promote and use Catalan as a symbol
of regional identity.
Language Attitudes
Language Pride
Attitude: Taking pride in one's ability to speak a specific language.
Example: In South Korea, there is a strong sense of pride associated with
the Korean language, and efforts are made to preserve and promote the
language in the face of global influences. Koreans are known for
preserving their culture and adopting foreign words through phonetic
approximations. This helps preserve the Korean sound system and prevent
foreign words from overwhelming the language. For example, the English
word "computer" is pronounced "k'omp'yute'o" in Korean, while
"jeonhagi" (전자기) means "electronic brain." Phonetic approximations also
make it easier for Koreans to pronounce foreign words, as Korean has a
small number of sounds.
How they connect
Attitudes Impact Positive Attitudes Negative Attitudes
Policy Support Preservation Contribute to Shift
Negative language attitudes can lead to
The prevailing attitudes towards a Positive attitudes towards a language language shift, where speakers abandon
language or language variety can are more likely to encourage language their native language in favour of a
significantly influence language planning and development efforts to dominant or more prestigious language.
policies. preserve and revitalise that language. This shift can lead to the decline of the
native language and necessitate language
planning to counteract it.
Attitudes and Reactive Language Language Vitality
Identity Planning Affects Attitudes
Language planning efforts may be a
A strong positive attitude towards a A language with a strong presence is
response to existing language attitudes. If a
language can be associated with a often associated with more positive
minority language faces negative attitudes
strong sense of cultural identity. attitudes, while languages in decline
and potential endangerment, language
Conversely, a decline in language use may have more negative attitudes
planning may be initiated to reverse these
can lead to a weakening of cultural associated with them.
trends and promote a more positive
identity.
perception of the language.
How they connect
The role of Impact of the Media
education When a language is represented
Educational policies play a critical role in positively and used in various media, it
shaping language attitudes. When a can enhance its status and perception.
language is used in education and
considered a medium of instruction, it is
more likely to be viewed positively.
Conversely, when a language is excluded
from educational contexts, it can lead to
negative attitudes and decline.
Globalization Prestige and
Attitudes
In the era of globalisation, attitudes
towards global languages like English Language prestige, often associated
may affect local languages. Positive with economic, political, or cultural
attitudes towards global languages factors, can influence language
may lead to language shift, while attitudes. A language with high
negative attitudes towards local prestige is more likely to be positively
languages may hinder their regarded, while a language with low
development. prestige may face negative attitudes.
