Applied Research on English Language (Feb 2013)

Language planning

  • Robert B Kaplan

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2, no. 1
pp. 1 – 12

Abstract

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Language planning, in one way or another, is as old as human civilization. Every time that one polity invaded the territory of another, the language of the conqueror was imposed on the conquered. The Romans imposed their language across the civilized world as they knew it. In the 21st century, the practice of language planning has become increasingly sophisticated. English, as the result of a series of fortuitous accidents has become the international language serving many activities. At the same time, it has led to an explosion in English language teaching, an activity also not based on wise decisions or wise planning.

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