Ethnography and Language Policy

<p>Illuminating through ethnographic inquiry how individual agents make language policy in everyday social practice this volume advances the growing field of language planning and policy using a critical sociocultural approach. From this perspective language policy is conceptualized not only as official acts and documents but as language-regulating modes of human interaction negotiation and production mediated by relations of power. </p><p>Using this conceptual framework the volume addresses the impacts of globalization diaspora and transmigration on language practices and policies; language endangerment revitalization and maintenance; medium-of-instruction policies; literacy and biliteracy; language and ethnic/national identity; and the ethical tensions in conducting critical ethnographic language policy research. These issues are contextualized in case studies and reflective commentaries by leading scholars in the field. </p><p><em>Ethnography and Language Policy</em> extends previous work in the field tapping into leading-edge interdisciplinary scholarship and charting new directions. Recognizing that language policy is not merely or even primarily about language per se but rather about power relations that structure social-linguistic hierarchies the authors seek to expand policy discourses in ways that foster social justice for all. </p>