Language policy briefs for govt offiicials

Sat Feb 28 18:17:36 UTC 2009

Theo won't say so himself but he has edited, with the late Kas Deprez,  
one of the best books ever on language policy in RSA
(as well as in some other countries) MULTILINGUALISM AND GOVERNMENT -  
see my review in LgeinSociety 2002.  There are later monographs in the  
series as well.  Christina

On Feb 28, 2009, at 8:11 AM, Don Osborn wrote:

> Thank you for this information. A few quick follow up questions  
> (quick to ask at least), because it is precisely the issue of policy  
> in African countries that I'm working on:
>
> * Why are you asked to address the issue of language policy? I.e.,  
> is this something you see as particular to South Africa (given its  
> history and having 11 official languages)?
>
> * Do you have any of your presentations online or otherwise publicly  
> available?
>
> * Why do you think the decisionmakers do not implement language  
> policy?
>
> * Is there something that could be done differently in terms of  
> content or presentation of information to policy makers and people  
> responsible for policy implementation that might lead to more  
> positive results?
>
> The latter two questions are particularly important given what Ayo  
> Bamgbose describes as "declaration without implementation" in his  
> summary of problems with language policy in Africa. On a continental  
> level, of course, there have been numerous declarations and plans of  
> action, but little to show for them. In specific countries the story  
> is often similar, but more complicated. In either case, how to deal  
> with it?
>
> In discussions with Dwayne Bailey (project lead of African Network  
> for Localisation - ANLoc - and head of Translate.org.za) on  
> promotion of policies supporting localization (related closely to  
> language policy), the idea has been brought up of use of graphics  
> and stories to make more tangible the otherwise abstract concepts  
> and numbers. In effect, what I interpret as incorporating tools of  
> marketing in the awareness-raising and educational effort.
>
> Ultimately such approaches would find themselves incorporated in  
> printed and online policy briefs/memos, which is why I'm interested  
> in what you and others have done.
>
> Thanks in advance for any further information.
>
> Don
>
>
>
> From: Theodorus du Plessis [mailto:dplesslt.HUM at ufs.ac.za]
> Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 10:08 AM
> To: a12n-policy at bisharat.net; Don Osborn; lgpolicy-list at ccat.sas.upenn.edu
> Subject: Re: Language policy briefs for govt offiicials
>
>
> I am usually asked to do presentations at fora (where decision- 
> makers are present). Usually you are asked to make a short speech on  
> topics such as: Why language policy? What is language policy? etc.  
> This happens at provincial and local government level in South  
> Africa where decision-makers have to design and implement language  
> policy (but then do not do it anyhow).
>
> Prof. L.T. du Plessis
> Direkteur/Director
> Eenheid vir Taalbestuur/Unit for Language Management
> Universiteit van die Vrystaat/University of the Free State
> Posbus/P.O. Box 339
> BLOEMFONTEIN
> 9300 RSA
> Tel:  +27 51-401 2405
> Faks/Fax: +27 51-444 5804
> E-pos/E-mail: dplesslt.hum at ufs.ac.za
> Web: http://www.uovs.ac.za/etb
>
> >>> On 2009/02/23 at 07:13 PM, <dzo at bisharat.net> wrote:
> Has anyone done any work producing policy briefs/memos relating to  
> language for people in government who are in a position to influence  
> language policy and its implementation?
>
>
>
> By policy briefs or policy memos I mean information presented in a  
> succinct way for an educated audience not specialized in the topic  
> addressed. Commonly these are used to advocate a position on the  
> topic described. I'm particularly interested in the form used,  
> purpose or agenda promoted, and evaluations.
>
>
>
> I have found few instances on the web. A couple of examples:
>
>
>
> http://www.aera.net/uploadedFiles/Journals_and_Publications/Research_Points/RP_Winter04.pdf
>
>
>
> http://www.language-policy.org/content/features/EPSL-0509-103- 
> LPRU.pdf (a 61-page document which was described at  as a "policy  
> brief" at http://listserv.linguistlist.org/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0509&L=lgpolicy-list&P=6132 
>  )
>
>
>
> In other domains, such as ICT policy, briefs are also used. An  
> African example is:
>
> http://www.apkn.org/areas-of-activity/information-and-communication-technology/ict-policy-briefs-for-mps
>
>
>
> While I am referring to the latter  and others, I am still seeking  
> examples relating to language policy.
>
>
>
> Don Osborn
>
> Bisharat.net
>
>
>
>
>
> _____________________________________________________________________
>
>
>
> University of the Free State: This message and its contents are  
> subject to a disclaimer.
>
> Please refer to  http://www.ufs.ac.za/disclaimer for full details.
>
>
>
> Universiteit van die Vrystaat:
>
> Hierdie boodskap en sy inhoud is aan 'n vrywaringsklousule onderhewig.
>
> Volledige besonderhede is by http://www.ufs.ac.za/vrywaring   
> beskikbaar.
>
> _____________________________________________________________________

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