Areal language policies

Kasimov R.Kh.,

Tyumen Industrial University, Tyumen, Russia, rhkasimov@mail.ru

elibrary_id: 680127 | ORCID: 0000-0001-8632-3860 | RESEARCHER_ID: ABE-8347-2021

Akoulich M.M.,

Tyumen Industrial University, Tyumen, Russia, m.m.akulich@utmn.ru

elibrary_id: 249790 |

DOI: 10.17976/jpps/2022.01.08

Rubric: Russia Today

For citation:

Kasimov R.Kh., Akoulich M.M. Areal language policies. – Polis. Political Studies. 2022. No. 1. https://doi.org/10.17976/jpps/2022.01.08

Abstract

Regardless of current globalization and localization processes, national languages are still regarded in political and linguistic discourses as occupying a place of choice in the language hierarchy. Globalization as a process is generating new levels of language scaling, opening a new horizon for language policies. It is considered that “global languages” correspond to the postnational language level. A global language is one used for global communications. English is currently the only global language. Other languages with a considerable influence are called areal languages. The latter are languages of certain regional powers and civilization spaces. Areal languages are defined on the basis of D. Crystal, A. de Swaan and B. Kachru’s theoretical models. Findings are reached by applying comparative methods to supranational languages, which became the material of the study. Actual language areal policy is studied through the example of French language policy. Areal languages include a special form of language policy distinct from the national one. Areal language policies functionally (but not substantially) reproduce the strategy of ancient sacred languages. Their task is to include or “convert” new speakers beyond the pivot states. Areal languages mostly challenge the world language and to a lesser degree they compete with each other. Areal language policies are carried out on status, corpus and language acquisition levels of planning. Status planning is fundamental in an areal language policy and its goal is prestige and attractiveness leading to an extension of a language and its culture. Corpus planning means preservation of the language space and it is realized in the forms of mono- and pluricentrism. Acquisition planning implies creating international communities, educational networks and significant content in mass media.

Keywords

language policies, language hierarchy, globalization, national language, postnational language, areal language, global language, regional power, civilization.

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