Language Policy and Planning

Key Definitions

Good day Prof. and hi guys..

Here are the definitions for some key terms in our interesting course.


Language Planning

A specialization in the sociology of language requiring input from economics, demography, education, and linguistics. It is a toolset for language policy measures and it has major application at times of post collonial states. (Phillipson, 2003)

Language Policy

A set of nationally agreed principles which enable decision makers to make choices about language issues in a national, comprehensive and balanced way. (Corson, 1990)


Corpus Planning

Refers to codification of permissible words and forms of language. (Philipson, 2003)


Status Planning

Concerned with attributing a status to a given language. For example, laws of measures specifying the rights of speakers to use their language.


The Process of Selecting a National Language (Holmes, 2001)

1. Selection - Choosing a variety or code to be developed

2. Codification (Corpus Planning) - Standardising its structural or linguistic features.

3. Elaboration (Status Planning) - Extending its function for use in new domains.

4. Securing its acceptance (Prestige Planning) - Enhancing the prestige of the chosen language. For example, by encouraging people to develop pride in the language or loyalty towards it.


Important Functions of a Successful National Language (Holmes, 2001)

1. Unifying - Unify the nation and offer advantages to speakers over their dialects and
vernaculars.

2. Separatists - Set the nation off from surrounding nations. An appropriate symbol of separate
national identity

3. Prestige - Recognized as a proper or real language with higher status than local dialects and
vernacular languages.

4. Frame-of-reference function - A yardstick for correctness. Other varieties are regarded as
non-standard in some respect.

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