Language revitalisation and social transformation: evaluating the language policy frameworks of sub-state governments in Wales and Scotland

Abstract

Efforts by European sub-state governments to revitalise minority languages are increasingly common. This article investigates whether these revitalisation efforts have considered the implications of contemporary social change, by utilising content analysis methods to analyse policy documents in two cases, Wales and Scotland. In concluding that engagement with social change is limited, the article highlights the challenge faced by language revitalisation policy in ensuring awareness of the nature of globalisation and associated social change. More broadly, it demonstrates that language policy can be conceived and analysed as public policy, and highlights opportunities for further research in this area by policy scholars.