NATIONAL LANGUAGES AND LANGUAGE PLANNING

Abstract

This article explores the complex relationship between national languages and language planning, focusing on how governments and institutions make decisions about language policies to promote linguistic unity, cultural identity, and communication within a country. The author examines the challenges and controversies surrounding language planning, such as the tension between preserving indigenous languages and promoting a dominant national language. Through case studies and theoretical analysis, the article sheds light on the role of language in shaping national identity, social cohesion, and education systems. Ultimately, it argues for a nuanced approach to language planning that takes into account historical context, linguistic diversity, and the needs of different communities within a nation.