Language policy

The language policy refers to all measures and rules by which the use of certain languages ​​( language status planning) or a specific language is required by language rules. Language status planning is primarily at the political level in the States and organizations place of language in practice only within states. Measures and rules that take on the status and social function of several languages ​​, so especially in multilingual countries and international organizations influence are referred to as language policy.

Language is inevitable in modern states, as important functions of the state system ( such as justice and education) have recourse to language. But in multilingual states and also in view of the growing proportion of the population speaking different languages ​​in many countries, it brings problems. Their reasons are the tight binding of each people and culture area in his language; outside interference in this relationship can have a negative impact on the individual, but also for the entire group of speakers of a subordinate language.

Specific use of language

The language policy can affect all aspects of a language (vocabulary, spelling and grammar). It specifies, for example, a spelling reform the rules for the textualization fixed. Also specifications to an understandable and friendly communication ( polite language ), as dictated in part by administrative or employer can be regarded as language policy, although such default resulted rather from the publicity. Thus, the Bavarian Ministry of the Interior gave its own " Voice " out under the name " Citizen-based language in the administration ." In Germany are words that represent criminal offenses, not dependent on the sensitivity of the offended, but by the inclusion in a particular catalog. (see also politically correct )

In many countries, use of language and language use are regulated by law, as in France. " France derives its rank in Europe and the world and from the peculiarities of its culture that defines, in particular through language ( speech protection and care legislation )" ( required specify the literary source) In some successor states of the Soviet Union effect the identity of the national language played a key role in the attainment of independence. There, for example, in Latvia, today the use of Russian is prohibited by law in the communication with public institutions. In Belgium, the use of languages ​​is governed by public services strictly on language laws.

Speech bans

Since native language of one of the most important elements of identity formation is, individually and culturally, language policy can have a direct impact on the psyche of the individual ( inferiority complex ) exercise ( if your own language is not accepted).

If all cultures are advantaged or disadvantaged in their language, threaten real conflicts or wars, the autonomy movement in Spain in the 70s of the non- Spanish-speaking territories. While the Soviet Union Russian as the dominant language oktroyierte the edge peoples, many successor states such as Estonia or Latvia reverse this trend by stigmatizing the use of Russian.

EU language policy

The European Union recognizes the importance of language for political and public formal statement by all the official languages ​​of the member countries are also official EU languages ​​. A distinction is made here between the EU's internal and external language policy. Internal language policy means the language regime for the EU institutions and authorities in this regard. Most use EU institutions as so-called working languages ​​of French or German in addition to the dominant English. Despite the criticism of this situation, which lists both costs arguments, as well as ideological reasons, were proposals to introduce an artificial language like Esperanto as the official language of the EU, never seriously pursued. This contrasts with the external language policy, which guarantees the right of EU citizens to get an answer to written questions in those official language in which the request is written. An exception to this is the Luxembourg, as the country's government has voluntarily waived this right. No official status in EU law, however, have the languages ​​of minorities, unless they are official language in any of the EU states, as well as the languages ​​of immigrant groups. Consequently, the corresponding languages ​​can not be used in communication with EU institutions. However, should the Charter of regional and minority languages ​​minority languages ​​a promotion offer (although this can differ from state to state ).

European Commissioner for Multilingualism

From 2007 to February 2010, there were in the Commission of the European Union a Commissioner for Multilingualism, while this area before and after this time was or is the Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth. Commissioner for Multilingualism Leonard Orban, the Romanian was. Key aspects of his tenure were the promotion of language learning from the earliest Kindestalter, the concept of lifelong learning and the promotion of multilingualism for small and medium businesses.