Motivation in language planning and language policy

by D. E. Ager

"The aim of this book is to investigate motives for action on language behaviour, whether this means corpus, status or acquisition planning. Motivation is complex, usually involving at least three components: motives, attitudes and goals. Seven motives which seem to recur are political - identity, insecurity, ideology and image; social - inequality and integration; or economic - instrumentality; although actual motives are often mixed. Attitudes require an understanding of knowledge about language, emotion towards it and the likelihood of response to an issue. Goals, needs and strategies towards language issues are often mixed, too. The relationship between motives, attitudes and goals is discussed in the light of a number of examples of policy and planning, selected from across the world. The author concludes from these data that dynamic identity construction, followed by willingness to act in conformity with expectations, are key elements in the planned behaviour and reasoned action