Language law and language rights: perspectives on legal intervention and language diversity

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Date
2009
Authors
Turi, Joseph-G
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
English: Language legislation aims to protect or promote the status and use of one or more specified languages. Official language legislation relates to the according of official status to a language or languages, while liberal language legislation pertains to the recognition of language rights and linguistic minorities. Regarding the latter category, a distinction is drawn between the right to the language and the right to a language. The former refers to the right to use one or more specified languages, particularly in an official context, whereas the right to a language refers to the universal right to use one’s mother tongue, or any language, particularly in unofficial contexts. Diversity, including linguistic diversity, is an asset that should be acknowledged and preserved — also in a judicial context.
Afrikaans: Die doel van taalwetgewing is om die status en gebruik van een of meer gespesifeerde tale te beskerm of te verhoog. Met verwysing na verskeie gevalle van taalwetgewing in verskillende state word veral offisiële taalwetgewing (die verlening van offisiële status aan ’n taal of tale) en liberale taalwetgewing (erkenning van taalregte en taalminderhede) in meer besonderhede bespreek. Betreffende die laasgenoemde kategorie word onderskei tussen die reg op die taal en ’n taal. Die eersgenoemde is die reg om een of meer gespesifiseerde tale, veral in offisiële verband, te gebruik, en die reg op ’n taal die universele reg om jou moedertaal of enige taal veral in onoffisiële verband te besig. Diversiteit, ook linguistiese diversiteit, is ’n bate wat erken en bewaar moet word, ook juridies.
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Keywords
Language legislation, Linguistic diversity, Language rights
Citation
Turi, J.-G. (2008). Language law and language rights: perspectives on legal intervention and language diversity. Acta Academica, 41(1), 126-143.