Gibson Ferguson Language Planning and Education Edinburgh ...

Discussion questions, exercises
and further reading
CHAPTERS 1 AND 2: OVERVIEWS OF LANGUAGE
PLANNING
1. Consider the language situation in your own country, or one with which you
are familiar. Which languages and language varieties are spoken/used, in which
domains and for which functions? Is there a designated official and national
language? Which languages are used as media of instruction in the education
system? Prepare a short description.
Can you describe any recent language planning activity undertaken by the
government or other official agencies. What was the purpose of this activity, and
to what extent has it been successful?
2. Spolsky (2004: 17) writes as follows:
Looking at the policy of established nations, one commonly finds major
disparities between the language policy laid down in the constitution and the
actual practices in the society.
Is this true of your own country, or a country with which you are familiar? If so,
what is the nature of the disparity between policy and practice?
3. Ó’Riagáin, P. (1997) is one of several commentators who are sceptical about the
power of language policy / language planning to effect intended outcomes. He
writes (1997: 170–1) as follows, with Ireland particularly in mind:
The power of state policies to produce intended outcomes is severely
constrained by a variety of social, political and economic structures which
sociolinguists have typically not addressed, even though their consequences are
profound and of far more importance than language policies themselves.
Do you agree with Ó’Riagáin? If so, can you think of specific instances/examples
that would support his argument?