An Introduction to Language Policy Theory and Method.

䡲 This book provides an excellent introduction to a wide range of theoreti-cal and methodologitheoreti-cal perspectives on language policy LP that are not usually found in language polic

An Introduction to Language Policy: Theory and Method

Thomas Ricento (Ed.) Oxford: Blackwell, 2006 Pp xii + 371

䡲 This book provides an excellent introduction to a wide range of

theoreti-cal and methodologitheoreti-cal perspectives on language policy (LP) that are not

usually found in language policy books In addition, it is an easy-to-read,

well-organized treatment of many of the issues associated with language,

society, and social change As a comprehensive collection of important

articles concerning LP theories, methods, and issues written by

well-recognized LP researchers, this book achieves its goal as “a thorough

introduction to the principal theories and methods which are used in

current research in language policy” (p x)

The book consists of 19 chapters, grouped into three main sections The

fi rst section, “Theoretical Perspectives in Language Policy,” is devoted to

the discussion of infl uential theories proposed to explain the role of

lan-guage and lanlan-guage policies in the shaping of societies around the world In

the overview chapter, Ricento mentions that “language policies are made,

or are implicitly acknowledged and practiced, in all societal domains” (p

19) The understanding of how the existing LP theories interact with

prac-tices in different areas of society will help generate new lines of research

and methods Recognizing LP research as both a multidisciplinary and an

interdisciplinary activity, Ricento proposes that “conceptual and

method-ological tools borrowed from various disciplines need to be appropriately

integrated and applied to real-world problems and challenges involving

languages, which by defi nition, are embedded in all aspects of society and

social life” (p 9) Hornberger (chapter 2) provides a historical overview of

the development of language policy and planning, and proposes an

inte-grative language policy and planning framework based on previous works

of scholars The remaining chapters in this section concern fi ve LP

the-ories Critical theory (rooted in critical applied linguistics) by Tollefson

(chapter 3) applies two key assumptions to LP: structural categories (i.e.,

class, race, and gender) and a critical examination of epistemology and

research methodology in relation to ethical standards and political

com-mitments to social justice Pennycook (chapter 4), although accepting that

it is hard to see the relationship between LP and postmodernism, proposes

that a postmodern approach may “suggest a rethinking of our social,

eco-nomic, and political categories in favor of a more localized understanding

of modes in governmentality” (p 71) Similarly, Grin (chapter 5) mentions

that an economic approach can help people evaluate different avenues

and make wiser choices Schmidt (chapter 6) asserts that a political

view-point is a usual approach providing “insights and reasoned interpretations

of what is at stake in political confl icts over language policy” (p 107) In the

fi nal chapter in this section, Schiffman (chapter 7) views language policy

(i.e., decision making about language at a top-down level) as intercon-nected to linguistic culture (i.e., every cultural thing that speakers bring with them when dealing with language or de facto)

Turning to methods in researching and evaluating language policy, the second section, “Methodological Perspectives in Language Policy,” dis-cusses how theories and methods within disciplines have contributed to a better understanding of issues addressed in subfi elds of language policy

In an overview, Ricento calls for the “use of multiple methods in exploring important questions about language status, language identity, language use, and other topics that fall within the purview of research” (p 129) Wiley (chapter 8) explicitly states that through careful and cautious inves-tigation of history, language policy formation can be better informed Canagarajah (chapter 9) proposes that ethnographic methods can help assess the effectiveness of language policies as well as the tension created

by policies Wodak (chapter 10) suggests that discourse analysis can shed light on the ambivalence and the ideological dilemmas that need to be taken into careful consideration when language policies are debated Cartwright (chapter 11) shows how geolinguistic analysis can provide deeper insights into the development of current patterns in human con-tact and interaction among different cultural groups, and how this infor-mation can be used to inform policy-makers’ decisions In the last chapter, Baker (chapter 12) discusses a psychosociological approach to analysis, and discusses how this approach, with both qualitative and quantitative methods, can contribute to making language policy

The third section of the book, “Topical Areas in Language Policy,” describes how language policy affects all aspects of social identity and social change In an overview, Ricento asserts that people defi ne their iden-tity and others’ through languages, and just one or a few languages are selected to be national language(s) in a multilingual community This situ-ation unfortunately often leads to confl icts Based on a Tanzanian sample that shows the ineffectiveness of singular projections of language on national identity, Blommaert (chapter 13) proposes that language policy should be considered a “niched ” activity (p 249), which is interconnected with other factors May (chapter 14) discusses LP and minorities’ rights, stating that it

is crucial to adopt a wider sociohistorical, sociocultural, and sociopolitical analysis to understand and promote the right of minority groups’ languages Skutnabb-Kangas (chapter 15) insists that language rights are vital because they are the basis of human rights Similarly, Paulston and Heidemann (chapter 16) discuss human rights in terms of education policies for minori-ties They advance that “a language policy is never simply and only about language” (p 305); it is related to power and inequity Unlike other chap-ters, Joshua Fishman’s chapter (chapter 17) concerns language shift Policy makers should be made aware of consequences of primary policies on other aspects of society that result in language decline, language death, and

language shift Reagan (chapter 18) calls for the promotion of an explicit

and implicit agenda in order to increase sign language users’ rights In the

fi nal chapter, Phillipson (chapter 19) discusses the role of English as a

lin-gual franca, or linguistic imperialism, in globalization English is perceived

as a threat to other languages and causes tensions at international and

national levels of society, as well as between top-down and bottom-up levels

Overall, this book provides a comprehensive introduction to LP

theo-ries and methods It offers an excellent overview to both well-established

and new approaches in the fi eld (e.g., geolinguistics), together with key

concepts and samples of studies In addition, it exposes the reader to

controversial issues and domains that are affected by LP This is vital

because a policy must address both linguistic and nonlinguistic elements

in society, because studying only one aspect and ignoring others will

“pro-vide a very incomplete and biased view” (Spolsky, 2004, p 40) The

selected annotated bibliographies offer a useful starting point for further

reading and research in the LP fi eld The usefulness of the discussion

questions at the end of each chapter, however, may be less apparent

Although they may help the reader to understand the content, they do

not lead to higher thought or ideas for further research

Given the lack of LP books containing a combination of explicit

discus-sions of various LP theories, methods, and major issues, this book provides

a comprehensive overview It is useful for novice LP researchers, and it is

suitable for an introductory course in language planning and policy at the

graduate level Also, experienced researchers in language policy,

educa-tion, applied linguistics, and related fi elds will appreciate the in-depth

and thorough discussions of the wide range of issues presented

REFERENCE

Spolsky, B (2004) Language policy: Keys topics in sociolinguistics Cambridge: Cambridge

University Press

ANGKANA TONGPOON

Khon Kaen University

Khon Kaen, Thailand

Adult Biliteracy: Sociocultural and Programmatic Responses

Klaudia M Rivera and Ana Huerta-Macías (Eds.) New York: Erlbaum,

2008 Pp xiv + 225

䡲 What is the relationship between biliteracy and TESOL studies? What

does research tell us about the role of the fi rst language in acquiring