Language Policy

Policies concerning language use are increasingly tested in an age of frequent migration and cultural synthesis. With conflicting factors and changing political climates influencing the policy-makers, Elana Shohamy considers the effects that these policies have on the real people involved. Using examples from the US and UK, she shows how language policies are promoted and imposed, overtly and covertly, across different countries and in different contexts.

Concluding with arguments for a more democratic and open approach to language policy and planning, the final note is one of optimism, suggesting strategies for resistance to language attrition and ways to protect the linguistic rights of groups and individuals.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Part I Language, manipulations, policy; Chapter 1 Expanding language; Chapter 2 Manipulating languages; Chapter 3 Expanding language policy; Part 2 Part II Mechanisms affecting de facto language policies; Chapter 4 Rules and regulations; Chapter 5 Language education policies; Chapter 6 Language tests; Chapter 7 Language in the public space; Part 3 Part III Consequences and reactions; Chapter 8 Consequences; Chapter 9 Reactions; Epilogue: Language as a free commodity; Bibliography; Index;