Because further promotion of the Maori language is needed to prevent it from remaining an endangered language, a national survey was conducted of 225 New Zealand adults' opinions about the language and fostering its instruction. Two-thirds of the respondents supported its place in New Zealand society, but 25 percent supported greater use. (23…

Addresses problems that arise when literacy education is brought from national and international centers to people whose identity is with local languages and literacies. Local literacies are defined with respect to different languages and writing systems, invented local literacies, and vernacular literacies. (Contains 33 references.) (Author)

Argues that young Danes are changing the notion of standard Danish. Data gathered in the Danish town of Naestved indicated standard Danish is moving in the direction of low Copenhagen speech. Suggests that young Danes operate with two standards when it comes to language: one for school where excellence is perceived in terms of superiority; and one…

Introduces some of the factors that have facilitated the standardization process and the concomitant deterioration of the Ryukyuan vernacular languages in southern Japan, and points out that present patterns of language use in the area suggest the language death of Ryukyuan and the society's impending shift to monolingualism in Standard Japanese.…

Analyzes linguists' interpretation and application of a theory suggesting that a learner's perceived appropriateness of linguistic data was related to its use and evaluation by exploring the presence and use of English in African nations. The multidialect nature of the world necessitates a multidialect teaching of any language. (CB)

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)

This paper contends that the World War II settlements, the birth of the United Nations, the invention of the computer, and the geometric growth of science and technology, all occurring accidentally at the same time, created the conditions which made English an important language. The paper notes the financial incentives in servicing international…

A discussion of language policy formation and planning in Australia covers the following: the development of the national policy on languages, and the Australian Language and Literacy Policy and its four goals related to English language and literacy, languages other than English, aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, and…

A discussion of language policy formation and planning in New Zealand focuses on the need for a national languages policy and governmental human resource development planning. It includes "unplanned" language planning; the multilingual/multicultural situation, including Maori, Pacific Islands, other, international, and English languages;…

A discussion of language policy formation and planning in Hong Kong covers the following: language use, change, and shift (including Chinese dialects, written Chinese, Mandarin, and English); the legal system; educational developments. Reasons for the lack of language planning are noted. (Contains 111 references.) (LB)

The policy of Arabization is examined as an example of language planning used to pursue and maintain power. The Tunisian language situation is analyzed in terms of education, government administration, and media and general use. It is shown that promotion of Arabization is inconsistent but that bilingualism and biculturalism have been promoted.…

A discussion of language policy formation and planning in Canada covers the following: bilingualism and multiculturalism; Quebec, French, and the constitution; and aboriginal language issues. Language legislation is emphasized. (Contains 52 references.) (LB)

Discusses changes that have occurred with regard to issues of language acquisition in Kenya in the last several decades, and the challenges these changes pose for educators and linguists today. Evaluates discrepancies that exist between theoretical norms and actual language behavior, especially as they affect the English language. Solutions to…

A discussion of language policy formation and planning in Mexico focuses on its multilingual/multicultural character and covers the following: turn from national integration to ethnic revival; indigenous successes following the Declaration of Patzcuaro; some problems and solutions regarding the current bilingual/bicultural education policy.…

Considers the question of which variety of Indonesian to teach in Australia. Issues related to standardization, formality, and diglossia in Bahasa, Indonesia, the use of its many varieties across Indonesia, differences between the Jakarta dialect and the standard form, and pedagogical considerations in teaching non-standard varieties are…