Language as a ‘resource’ in South Africa: the economic life of language in a globalising society

Wright, Laurence

Title: Language as a ‘resource’ in South Africa: the economic life of language in a globalising society
Creator: Wright, Laurence
Date Issued: 2002
Date: 2002
Type: text
Type: article
Identifier: vital:7035
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007370
Identifier: https://doi.org/10.1080/10131750285310031
Description: preprint
Description: We need to develop a much more refined and specific understanding of what is meant when people refer to language is a ‘resource’. If something can accurately be described as a resource, then by its very nature it carries with it or attracts, at least in potential, the social motivation associated with the utilization, development or exploitation of that resource. This is strikingly true where language is the resource in question, because language is so intimately bound up with human activity. Where it exists, such social motivation can be augmented and supported so as to realize the ends of language policy. Contrastingly, where it is seen that social motivation informing a particular language situation is at odds with the intent of language policy, then either implementation must retreat and move to other arenas, other points of influence, where intervention can be more effective, or those charged with implementation must resign themselves to costly and messy efforts to force unwanted change through legal authority.
Format: 18 pages
Format: pdf
Language: English
Relation: English Academy Review
Relation: Wright, L.S. (2002) Language as a ‘resource’ in South Africa: the economic life of language in a globalising society. English Academy Review, 19 (1). pp. 2-19
Relation: English Academy Review volume 19 number 1 2 19 2002 type="issn">1753-5360
Rights: Wright, Laurence
Rights: Use of this resource is governed by the terms and conditions of the English Academy Review Self-archiving Policy

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Wright, Laurence (Prof)

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