David Cassels Johnson: Language Policy

Abstract

Language Policy by David Cassels Johnson is a comprehensive review of the history, theories, and methods in the field of language policy and planning (LPP) research. The book is divided into four parts, which are reflected in the organization of this review. The clear division of topic chapters and a detailed table of contents make the book a convenient reference for LPP concepts, methods, and theories, and it is likely to be particularly appealing to graduate students or other researchers who are new to the field. Additionally, those who are looking for new ways to approach LPP research in educational spaces will find many of the examples of literature discussed particularly useful. Part I. Laying the groundwork: definitions, theories, and concepts. Chapter 1 is dedicated to definitions of language policy. Johnson begins by asking, ‘What is language policy?’ (p. 3), which is a question that elicits a variety of responses, particularly in regard to the distinction between language policy and language planning. Johnson includes a review of five LPP definitions offered by Kaplan and Baldauf, Schiffman, Spolsky, McCarty, and Tollefson. He draws on these definitions to provide his own: ‘a language policy is a policy mechanism that impacts the structure, function, use, or acquisition of language …’ (p. 9). Johnson then asks, as have other scholars, ‘What isn’t language policy?’ (p. 9), alluding to the notion that almost anything can be viewed through an LPP lens, from explicit language policy documents to micro-level de facto language policy practices. Johnson explains the multi-tiered complexity of LPP research by reviewing different types of language policies—presented as dichotomies such as ‘top down’ vs. ‘bottom up’—that, he states, ‘are often used in the literature, but less often defined’ (p. 24). An in-depth discussion of three examples of language policy initiatives (English language policies, Indigenous languages and policy, and oil production and language policy in Equatorial Guinea) provides a context in which readers can begin to situate the larger discussion of LPP. In Chapter 2, Johnson discusses the origins of LPP research and introduces early developments of the field through the work of Haugen, Kloss, Cooper, and Rubin. He also summarizes theories, concepts, and frameworks that have been proposed throughout LPP research, including critical language policy, ethnography of language policy, reversing language shift, linguistic imperialism, ecology of language, and educational language policy. Johnson defines each of these and describes how they emerged in the field, reiterating that there is no one overarching theory for LPP.