Places the activities of the National Setswana Language Council, a language-planning body in Botswana, into the current language-planning theory in order to understand language-planning problems in the Council. A brief theoretical framework is presented; a description of the origins, objectives, and language-planning problems of the Council are…

Presents a classification of 11 language planning functions or goals that academies, committees, and commissions have been engaged in since language planning began several centuries ago or could adopt in the future. Language planning is defined as deliberate, institutionally organized attempts at affecting linguistic or sociolinguistic status or…

In view of its plans to initiate a new program in the field of language engineering, the Commission of the European Communities discusses the importance of the underlying technical communication facilities, with special attention to smaller language communities. The comments are drawn from the Commission's "Strategic Study on Language…

Argues for the survival of the federalist language formula in the European (Economic) Community through a modified, more restricted form so as to be more functional and open to the demands of worldwide communication. It is suggested that, despite its weaknesses, it more adequately reflects the mosaic-like cultural heritage of Europe. (eight…

Reflecting on the situation in Quebec, this paper attempts to offer a fair solution to the problem of the languages of signage. It is suggested that individuals and groups have the right to show their linguistic identity as well as to express themselves in the languages of their choice, provided that the rights of the addressees are also met. (VWL)

Since 1977, businesses in Quebec have been required to use French as their normal working language, and a process of "francization" has been initiated. Progress has been slowed by resistance from businesses, political hesitation, and bureaucracy. The Quebec case suggests that flexible implementation is necessary for a successful, working…

Under the 1986 Immigration Reform Act, illegal aliens could fulfill English, history, and civics knowledge requirements by attending instructional programs. Because the goal was to grant these aliens residency before foreign nationals applying under other programs, not to help individuals achieve English competency, the language policy has been…

Discusses the relationship between planned languages and specialized technical languages, with particular reference to Esperanto, and analyzes its significance for several aspects of Eugen Wuster's (the founder of terminology science) work. (Author/VWL)

Examines the following issues as they relate to a model of language planning: (1) types of decisions (policy or implemental, higher- or lower-level, rational or arbitrary); (2) the planning mechanism; (3) the role of fact finding (prepolicy, preimplementation, and intraimplementation); (4) levels of planning; and (5) the nature of status versus…

Two models of language contact, one concerning linguistic development and the other a general model of language contact, are suggested as a result of a recent study of written languages in India. (Author/MSE)

Critically examines existing government and constitutional provisions that amount to a national language policy in Nigeria. An alternative policy in which the three indigenous Nigerian languages in the present policy are replaced with a neutral one is proposed. (21 references) (GLR)

Examines language planning and development in Suriname in reference to a Caribbean-wide phenomenon arising from movements of cultural nationalism in the region after the Second World War. During this period, people throughout the Caribbean began to question local supremacy of European languages and cultures and denigration of creole language and…

Argues that economic development as well as the lack of technical terms in Gaelic and decline in use of Gaelic in the home may adversely affect the language of a given area. Reports on a survey into the linguistic impact of three industrial enterprises in Western Ireland. (SED)

Discusses the policies of Sri Lanka concerning the status of Sinhala as official language and the status of Tamil and English. The first independent government relegated English to unofficial status as a language of special domains, but it has recently been suggested that it be recognized as a neutral link-language. (SED)

Discusses sign language use in South Africa and the deaf as an oppressed community. The following issues are addressed: language planning and sign language, the role of sign language as the vernacular of an oppressed linguistic community, and the implications of sign language for other cultural and social issues that divide South African society.…