Questions: Language Policy and Planning - Advanced

Question 1

Status planning in language policy refers to:

• A. Developing writing systems for languages without them
• B. Determining which languages are official, what functions they serve, and their social prestige
• C. Teaching grammar to speakers
• D. Creating new words for modern concepts

Answer: (B)

Status planning determines language roles and prestige in society — which language is official, medium of education, government, courts. These determinations affect language vitality and speaker identity. Corpus planning (option A and D) involves standardization and terminology. Status planning shapes language functions and prestige.

Question 2

Bilingual education policies that maintain minority language literacy while adding majority language can have positive effects on:

• A. Only economic opportunities in the majority language; minority language skills are economic disadvantages
• B. Cognitive development, academic achievement, and minority language vitality, while not disadvantaging majority language acquisition
• C. Delaying academic achievement while prioritizing language preservation
• D. Majority language acquisition only; minority language instruction harms it

Answer: (B)

Research shows bilingual education supports cognitive advantages, academic achievement in both languages, and minority language vitality. It's not zero-sum — maintaining minority language doesn't prevent majority language acquisition. Policy that supports both languages benefits students academically and socially.

Question 3

Language policies that successfully reverse language shift and support endangered language vitality are easily implemented and quickly show results.

• T. True
• F. False

Answer: False

Language revival is difficult, slow, and requires sustained effort. Successful reversals (Hebrew, Maori, Welsh) took decades of effort, institutional support, and community commitment. Many policies fail because they face social, economic, and attitudinal resistance. Reversing shift requires more than policy; it requires community motivation.

Question 4

Imposing a national language policy without community consultation and consent is the most efficient approach to managing multilingualism.

• T. True
• F. False

Answer: False

Top-down policies without community input often face resistance and fail. Successful language planning is collaborative, involving communities, recognizing their rights and preferences. Community buy-in is essential for policy success. Imposed policies may create resentment and undermine goals.

Question 5

Explain why language policies can have profound effects on language vitality and speaker identity, going beyond mere administration of language functions.

Model answer: Language policy determines which languages are valued in education, government, and economy. Policies assigning low status to minority languages reduce their use and prestige, leading to shift to dominant languages. Policies supporting minority languages affirm their value and vitality. Language is identity and cultural marker; policy decisions affect how people view their language and whether they maintain it.

Language policy is not neutral administration. Decisions about which languages are official, educational media, government languages carry profound cultural and political weight. Policies shape language futures and speaker identities. This is why language policy is contested and politically sensitive.