Language Policy: Hidden Agendas and New Approaches PDF
Preview Language Policy: Hidden Agendas and New Approaches
Language Policy Although we may not be aware of it, the way we use language in our daily lives is regulated by both overt and covert means. Language Policy delves into the hidden agendas which operate behind language policy, examining the decisions surrounding language use and emphasizing the effects of these decisions and potential constraints on different groups within society. Drawing on examples from language policies in the United States, Israel, and United Kingdom, Elana Shohamy introduces a broad view of language policy, from explicit use by governments, educational bodies and the media, to implicit and covert uses. The book reveals and examines the specific mechanisms used to create language policy such as language laws, educational policies, language tests, citizenship requirements, propaganda and even educational material. This critical exploration of language policy concludes with arguments for a more democratic and open approach to language policy and planning, suggesting strategies for resistance, activism and ways to protect the lin- guistic rights of individuals and groups. Language Policy will be of interest to students from a variety of disciplines including linguistics, education, sociology, political science, philosophy and communication studies. Elana Shohamy is a professor of Language Education, Tel Aviv University. Her previous publications include The Power of Tests, 2001. Language Policy Hidden agendas and new approaches Elana Shohamy First published 2006 by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada by Routledge 270 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016 This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2006. “To purchase your own copy of this or any of Taylor & Francis or Routledge’s collection of thousands of eBooks please go to www.eBookstore.tandf.co.uk.” Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group © 2006 Elana Shohamy All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Shohamy, Elana Goldberg. Language policy : hidden agendas and new approaches / Elana Shohamy. p. cm. 1. Language policy. 2. Language and education. 3. Language awareness. I. Title. P119.3.S5 2005 306.44'9—dc22 2005007298 ISBN10:0–415–32864–0 (hbk) ISBN10:0–415–32865–9 (pbk) ISBN13:9–78–0–415–32864–7 (hbk) ISBN13:9–78–0–415–32865–4 (pbk) ...so Ima, why don’t you just call it the hidden agendas of language policy? (Orlee Shohamy, September 3, 2000) Orlee, this book is for you. It is through “languaging”, in all its forms, that you live. It is through “languaging” that our deep connection and profound love continue, beyond time, space and even death. (March 2005) Contents List of figures and tables ix Dedication to Orlee x Preface xii Introduction xv PART I Language, manipulations, policy 1 1 Expanding language 5 2 Manipulating languages 22 3 Expanding language policy 45 PART II Mechanisms affecting de facto language policies 57 4 Rules and regulations 59 5 Language education policies 76 6 Language tests 93 7 Language in the public space 110 PART III Consequences and reactions 135 8 Consequences 137 9 Reactions 149 viii Contents Epilogue: Language as a free commodity 167 Bibliography 174 Index 181 Figures and tables Figures 1 A model of language policy 53 2 Ideology–mechanism–practice 54 3 List of mechanisms between ideology and practice 58 4 Bilingual construction of a recipe 83 5 Research on academic achievements of immigrants in schools. 87 Graph 1: 5th grade mathematics standard grades according to years of residence 87 6 Graph 4: 5th grade Hebrew standard grades according to years of residence 87 7 Graph 5: 9th grade Hebrew standard grades according to years of residence 88 8 Bilingual test accommodations as enhancing achievement 108 9 Patterns of plurilinguistic landscape 120 Tables 1 LL items in “top-down” vs. “bottom-up” in the Jewish population 121 2 LL items in “top-down” vs. “bottom-up” in the Israeli Palestinian areas 121 3 LL items in “top-down” vs. “bottom-up” in the Arab population in East Jerusalem 121
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