Language Policy in Action

Based on real-life case studies, this book examines how people act within institutions and communities to try and control the language of others. Introducing a framework for analysing language policy in different contexts, it is essential reading for researchers and students of applied linguistics, sociolinguistics, education, and policy analysis.

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Language is part of social life, and efforts to control it can be viewed in light of broader struggles for social power around issues like migration, education, class and race. This book explores how people act within institutions and communities to try and control the language of others. It conceptualises language policy as a form of discourse management, involving attempts to reorder hierarchies of knowledge, reframe social relationships, control what identities and ideologies may be expressed, and limit who can access particular social spaces. Real-life case studies are included, allowing readers to understand the functioning of language policy in different contexts. A holistic framework is also introduced, showing how language policies are enacted though five key actions: creating, debating, interpreting, enforcing and resisting. Each action is explained with reference to current theories in applied linguistics and sociolinguistics, and methodological suggestions, discussion questions and examples of further reading are also provided.