A discussion of language policy formation and planning in Western European countries covers the following: implications of the 1992 Treaty of Maastricht, European Community initiatives, language planning at the regional level, the European Science Foundation, bilingual education, and the Council of Europe. (Contains 47 references.) (LB)

Defines and discusses the concept of small languages. Topics addressed include political status; official status (e.g., as a national language); distinctiveness; robustness or the degree of feasibility; social function; education to support the language; functions of literacy; and appropriate technology for use with particular languages. (12…

Discusses globalization and diversification within four language issues for adult literacy: (1) the spread of a small number of world languages, (2) development of the varieties of language, (3) choice of language for education and official life, and (4) disappearing languages. (JP)

In response to a previous article, this article expresses reservations about the status, development, and future of English as an International language. takes issue with the changing role and nature of the English language as a result of the project of creating a unified Europe. (Author/VWL)

Discusses language planning in modern Spain in terms of policy formation and implementation. The article argues that the elevation of Castilian to a position of linguistic supremacy is closely connected with the history of the development of a Spanish centralized state. It is concluded that whereas linguistic pluralism exists in theory, social…

This article discusses, from an African perspective, the two dimensions associable with the question of the globalisation of communication: the promotion of the learning of some international languages (the quantitative dimension) and the teaching and learning of communication skills (the qualitative dimension). It suggests that the time is ripe…

The Arabization of sciences, and especially of the language of the sciences, poses problems because of poor coordination among institutions and countries and because of the Arabic language itself. Instruction in French is still the best solution while Arabization becomes established. (MSE)

Discusses bilingualism in Canada in terms of rationale, demographic trends and reactions, and government action. Argues for a positive view of cultural diversity and for tolerance and understanding of linguistic differences. (Author/MJL)

Reviews the history of language legislation in Quebec, specifically regarding the relationship between French and English. It is suggested that English be taught as a "foreign" rather than a "second" language in Quebec. (AM)

In the Ivory Coast, the official standard French has not been established as the language of the masses and is threatened by Dyula and a Popular French, two lingua francas that have potential as national languages even though the populations do not seem supportive of new language policy. (Author/MSE)

The role of the French language in the European Community, whose membership increasingly includes countries where French is not prominent, is examined. The distinction between official language and the lingua franca of work is noted, and strategies for ensuring the future of French in a multilingual global community are considered. (MSE)

The 1983 Catalonian Linguistic Normalization Law made Spanish and Catalan co-official languages in that region. The law's constitutionality was challenged and after more than a decade of litigation was upheld by Spain's Supreme Court, producing a polemic in Catalonia and, tangentially, an impact in the Basque region and Galicia. (21 references)…

A discussion of new language policy in South Africa, creating 11 official languages and terminating the privileged status of English as sole or co-official language, looks at a number of issues in language policy creation. The framework for this analysis is that language may be viewed from four perspectives: as a problem, a right, a resource, or a…

The "Official English" (OE), or "English Only," movement claims that the United States is threatened by the use of languages other than English in schools, government, and business. The OE movement is contrary to a national tradition of recognition and respect for the contributions of immigrants to American life. Restrictions…

The Windsor-Quebec City axis is Canada's most important economic entity. The axis comprises four distinct physiographic units, with considerable climatic variation across the area. Containing two distinct linguistic groups (English and French), the axis has a rich agricultural system and is the manufacturing heartland of Canada. (RM)