Dr Laila Abdel Aal Alghalban
language is our chief resource to experience the world and construct reality. Without language there could be no thought, no culture, no civilisation, or even no reality which is our version of understanding the world. In fact, language is our dearest asset. It is our way to communicate, reason, innovate, and define ourselves, our experience, legacy and worldview. Human societies would not have been acting the way they do without language. Language is what makes us feel that sense of belonging to a particular group. Not surprising, then, is that language is a prime concern of everyone. It is also one of the official priorities of nations as it is a tool of dominance of some groups, a sort of supremacy. Consequently, language planning is the principal occupation of every government in what we call nation states.
Willingly or unwillingly
A key official construct of a state is that of adopting a standard language, the variety endorsed by the government and the powerful to be used in schools, universities, the courts of law, media, and literature. The power of these institutions is so tense and suffocating that it would be difficult for anyone to unlock its grip. All must conform to the standard, willingly or unwilling. This is known as language planning. Government, legal and educational organisations in many countries have to plan which variety or varieties of the languages spoken in the country are to be used for official business. In some communities, one’s home language commonly used by the family, their mother tongue, is not a standard language; it may not be accepted by the state.
Wide range of variation
Technically speaking, every language involves a wide range of variation: dialects, accents, vernaculars, pidgins, creoles, registers, jargons, sociolects and idiolects. In some areas, variation could be so profound; people can speak more than one language; bilingualism and multilingualism prevail. In other areas, a diaglossic situation is the norm: two varieties or levels of a single language coexist, high and low, each one assuming certain roles. The high variety is the standard used in academia, broadcasting, etc., while the low variety is used elsewhere in daily interaction.
A unifying language
In many regions in the world, multilingualism thrives beyond words. However, when it comes to selecting one native, endoglossic, language as an official language, the exoglossic English turns to be the best option. It is no man’s language’; it is a unifying language bringing together people from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, and acting as a peace-keeping tool in nations battered by ethnic and language-based conflicts. Think about India, for instance. Hundreds of local languages are spoken, with English, the colonial language, having been selected as the official language after independence. Think about Nigeria, it patterns the same. English is the official language. In fact, English, due to colonialism, has become the official language in 67 different countries, as well as 27 non-sovereign minor, remote communities. More strikingly, recent adoption of English as one of the official languages is taking place in Rwanda, Gabon and Burundi, with the aim of upgrading educational and economic policies. Furthermore, there have been growing negative attitudes to local language education; it is underestimated or almost stigmatised, unlike English language which is perceived as a ticket to better job opportunities and overall success in business and life.
Definitely, not!
Is it necessary for a nation to have an official language? Definitely, no! In countries without official languages, de facto or working languages, the ones widely spoken by the majority of population, are generally used by the government; they are the unofficial standards. The US is a case in point. English is never declared the official language there. English supremacy is taken for granted; ‘The English Only’ unofficial, but deeply rooted, policy is implicitly and explicitly at work.
It’s a process
Language standardisation is a long process involving many stages. In his book The Study of Language, the prominent linguist George Yule explains this process as follows:
The process of “selection” (choosing an official language) is followed by “codification,” in which basic grammars, dictionaries and written models are used to establish the standard variety. The process of “elaboration” follows, with the standard variety being developed for use in all aspects of social life and the appearance of a body of literary work written in the standard. The process of “implementation” is largely a matter of government attempts to encourage use of the standard, and “acceptance” is the final stage when a substantial majority of the population use the standard and think of it as the national language, playing a part in not only social, but also national identity.
Globalisation and language planning
Globalisation has been posing unprecedented threats to most world languages. Multinational corporations impose English as a global language of business, entertainment, science, technology, etc. This dwarfs the cultural heritage and value of other languages and fosters linguistic shift, leaving the future of lots of languages at risk. The unfair free trade has pushed many small businesses and individuals to the brink of collapse in many parts of the world. The negative attitudes towards some languages constructed by media, educational institutions and programs would move on to their native speakers who, in turn, internalise this negativity and let it define them. They submit themselves to feeling of self-worthlessness and language shaming, and end up quitting their mother tongues.
Taking language planning seriously
Finally, I call for all of us to promote the Arabic language in Egypt. The tendency to send our children to schools teaching the curricula in foreign languages might develop a sense of language shaming that, if left unaddressed, would further harm the wellbeing of our beloved language. Let’s take pride in Arabic, promote it in all possible ways individually, communally and nationally. Let’s teach our children to love and respect it. This will happen when we take language planning seriously!
By Dr Laila Abdel Aal Alghalban
Professor of Linguistics
Faculty of Arts
Kafr el-Sheikh University
Email: [email protected]
