Planification et politique linguistique

Introduction to Sociolinguistics: Language Policy and Planning

Sociolinguistics examines the relationship between language and society, often focusing on phenomena like multilingualism, code-switching, and diglossia. A key area within sociolinguistics is language policy and planning, which involves deliberate efforts to influence language behavior.

Defining Language Policy and Planning

• Language planning refers to any intentional attempt to influence the language behavior of others, including acquisition, structure, or functional allocation of language codes. It is the process of planning.
• Language policies are the outcomes or results of this planning process.

The field has evolved through several phases, starting in the 1950s with figures like Uriel Weinreich, who introduced the term "language planning," and Einar Haugen, who added a crucial social dimension to it.

Haugen's Language Planning Principals and Categories

Einar Haugen's framework (1966) outlines four key principles for language planning:

1. Selection: Choosing a specific language variety.
2. Codification: Developing reference works to standardize "correct" language use (e.g., orthography, grammar, lexicon).
3. Implementation: Spreading and gaining acceptance for the new norm, often through education.
4. Elaboration: Developing new vocabulary in various domains.

Language planning is categorized into two main types:

• Corpus planning: Focuses on modifying the internal nature or structure of the language itself (e.g., standardization, grammar, orthography). Organizations like the Académie française are examples of bodies involved in corpus planning.
• Status planning: Concerns the standing of a language relative to other languages or a national government, without directly altering its structure. This involves decisions about a language's official role.

Evolution of Language Planning Frameworks

Later phases of language planning introduced new perspectives:

• Phase 3 (1980s-90s): Robert L. Cooper (1989) expanded the framework, emphasizing three pillars: acquisition planning, corpus planning, and status planning.
  • Acquisition planning aims to increase the number of language users (e.g., Goethe Institut promoting German).
  • These three types are often closely linked in practice.
• Phase 4 (1990s-present): Involved critical examination, taking up concepts like prestige planning (Haarmann) and language management (Spolsky). The term LPP (Language Policy and Planning) asserted itself, recognizing the interplay between policy and planning.

Language policy is defined as a body of ideas, laws, regulations, rules, and practices intended to bring about language change in a society or group. It can be formal (laws) or informal (statements of intent). Language politics refers to the process of choosing objectives that eventually lead to a policy.

Types and Actors of Language Policy

Language policies can be:

• Explicit vs. Implicit: Explicit policies are written and clearly stated (e.g., in legal texts or company notes), while implicit policies are "how things are done" without formal documentation.
• Official vs. Unofficial: Official policies are formally recognized by authorities.
• Top-down vs. Bottom-up: Top-down policies are imposed by higher authorities (state, management), whereas bottom-up policies emerge from society or groups.

Language policy exists at various levels, including national, supranational, institutional (e.g., University of Luxembourg), company, and even family levels. Actors involved can range from governments to individuals.

Examples of Language Policy in Practice

Luxembourg provides a clear example of explicit language policy. The "Loi du 24 février 1984 sur le régime des langues" declares Luxembourgish as the national language, while French is used for legislation and German, French, or Luxembourgish for administrative and judicial matters. The University of Luxembourg also has an explicitly multilingual policy, stipulating that French, English, and German are its working languages and that all bachelor's and most master's programs must be bilingual, promoting trilingualism among students and staff to offer a competitive edge in the job market.

Key Takeaways

• Language policy and planning are crucial tools for managing and shaping linguistic landscapes.
• These processes involve deliberate choices and actions concerning language status, structure, and acquisition.
• Policies can be explicit or implicit, official or unofficial, and can originate from top-down or bottom-up initiatives.
• Real-world examples demonstrate how language policies impact education, administration, and national identity.