Language Policy and Its Implementation

Book excerpt: This book delves into the complex world of language policy (LP) and its implementation, examining it from various angles and contexts. The concept of LP is explored in detail, with different experts offering diverse definitions, from a body of rules and practices to a social construct. LP is shown to encompass everything from government laws to family practices, reflecting both ideologies and beliefs about language use in daily life. The book highlights the distinction between language policy and language planning, emphasizing LP's presence at various levels of society, from governmental laws to family dynamics. It is noted that not all language ideologies and practices necessarily translate into formal language policies. Each chapter in the book examines LP in different contexts, from university campuses to multinational companies, and family settings. The linguistic landscape is explored, encompassing a wide range of language practices and behaviors in public spaces. Various methodologies and analysis models, including the classification of text divisions based on Top-Down and Bottom-Up, are employed to study linguistic landscapes. Chapters delve into specific case studies, such as the influence of English on the Indonesian linguistic landscape and language contestation in a college students' culinary zone. The book also explores the role of the Indonesian language in international corporations in the United Arab Emirates, highlighting the importance of cross-cultural communication. The book aims to provide readers with valuable insights into language policy, linguistic landscape analysis, and sociolinguistic research. It serves as a resource for future researchers in social, linguistic, and cultural studies and offers society members a deeper understanding of specific areas, their language choices, and social conditions. Ultimately, the book serves as an in-depth analysis of language policy and its implications in various contexts, contributing to the field of language studies and sociolinguistics.