Language planning is an organized effort to influence the behavior and structure of a language in order to increase its utility for a particular purpose. The purpose of language planning is to facilitate communication between language groups, to promote language standardization, and to strengthen the language’s cultural identity. In recent years, language planning has become increasingly relevant as the world becomes more globalized and language diversity increases (Haugen, 1966).
Language planning often involves the development of language policies that define the goals of language use in a given society and provide a framework for making decisions about language usage. Language policies typically include official language declaration, language status laws, language education and promotion, and language standardization (Rubin & Jernudd, 1971). In addition, language planning may involve the creation of language registers, the establishment of language-related institutions, and the publication of language materials (Pennycook, 1994).
The success of language planning efforts is dependent upon a variety of factors, including the language’s structure, the social and political climate, and the availability of resources. Furthermore, language planning is a complex process that requires cooperation between individuals, organizations, and governments (Fishman, 1989).
Language planning also has implications for the study of language and linguistics. By examining language policies, researchers can better understand the motivations and constraints of language change (Kirby, 2003). Additionally, language planning can inform the development of language-teaching materials and pronunciation guides (Lippi-Green, 1997).
In conclusion, language planning is an important tool for facilitating communication between language groups and strengthening language identities. Despite its complexities, language planning efforts can help ensure that language diversity is maintained and respected.
References
Fishman, J. A. (1989). Language and Ethnicity in Minority Sociolinguistic Perspective. Clevedon, UK: Multilingual Matters.
Haugen, E. (1966). Language Conflict and Language Planning: The Case of Modern Norwegian. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Kirby, J. (2003). Language Policy in the People’s Republic of China. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Lippi-Green, R. (1997). English with an Accent: Language, Ideology, and Discrimination in the United States. London: Routledge.
Pennycook, A. (1994). The Cultural Politics of English as an International Language. New York, NY: Longman.
Rubin, J. & Jernudd, B. (1971). Can Language Be Planned? Honolulu, HI: University of Hawaii Press.