LGPOLICY-LIST digest 488

[Bernard Spolsky]

I would like to reinforce the comments about the complexity of the term
"official language" and its sometimes near-synonyms "national" language
(when both occur, official seems to be functional and national symbolical)
and "state" language (usually in constitutions of former Soviet satellites).
One needs first to distinguish between a constitutional (or basic law)
designating an official language.  Such classifications seem to reflect a
desire at the time of independence or other major change (like Maastricht
for France) of asserting the primacy of one language (most common) or
providing equal status to two or more languages (much rarer).  Presumably
this legal statement provides a basis for judicial or governmental action.
A large number of nations (England and other commonwealth or former
colonies) do not have constitutions or do not have designate official
languages in them or in other laws; here the status of official seems, as
other have noted, to be taken for granted.  To show the kind of confusion
that can occur, New Zealand now has two laws establish Maori and NZ Sign
Language as official, but no law dealing with the status of English.  In
individual cases, then, one needs distinguish between actual language
practice (what language is used/permitted/prohibited in public and private
domains and functions), beliefs (what language do people think should be
used), and management (what does the law say, and is it implemented.
Bernard Spolsky

On 4/2/07, Multiple recipients of list <lgpolicy-list at ccat.sas.upenn.edu>
wrote:
>
>
>                             LGPOLICY-LIST Digest 488
>
>
>   8) "Official English" in the UK?
>         by "Don Osborn" <dzo at bisharat.net>
>
> 11) Re: "Official English" in the UK?
>         by "Harold Schiffman" <haroldfs at gmail.com>
> 12) RE: "Official English" in the UK?
>         by "Don Osborn" <dzo at bisharat.net>
>
>


-- 
Bernard Spolsky bspolsky at gmail.com
Professor emeritus, Bar-Ilan University
Please use this address
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URL: http://www.biu.ac.il/faculty/spolsb

Editor Emeritus, LANGUAGE POLICY
Language Policy submissions online to
http://www.editorialmanager.com/lpol/default.asp
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