The Routledge Handbook of Language Policy and Planning

Reviews / Votes

'This fascinating and comprehensive handbook offers an authoritative state of the art overview of language policy and planning, its main features, diverse implementation and associated complications. The editors have skilfully woven a narrative which interprets the five stages of a language policy cycle from an interdisciplinary perspective while the distinguished contributors present a refreshing range of material and approaches drawn from a wide variety of international, largely democratic contexts ranging from the global to the local, together with case study chapters which illustrate the complexity of language policy implementation. This is an excellent resource which will repay consistent and regular reading as much for its insights into the policy process as for its evidence-based interpretations.'

Colin H. Williams, Honorary Professor of Welsh at Cardiff University, UK

'This Handbook offers a comprehensive, multidimensional, and multidisciplinary treatment of language policy and planning (LPP). The Handbook's central, innovating, contribution is to consider LPP as a policy field, and to analyze it using the model of the policy process. In doing so, it situates LPP squarely within the realm of government action, emphasizing agency and concrete manifestations of political power.'

Andre Lecours, Full Professor, School of Political Science, University of Ottawa, and Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada

'A brave, well-informed and rigorous work that proves that, when analyzing language policies, the perspective of public policy is (also) essential - because, in addition to being fair and democratic, language policies must also be effective and efficient.'

Prof. F. Xavier Vila i Moreno, Secretary for Language Policy, Government of Catalonia, Spain

'This comprehensive handbook provides an outstanding overview of important issues surrounding language policy and planning. Taken from a broad geographical base, this remarkable collection of chapters reflects the true interdisciplinary nature of LPP research and provides a timely, state-of-the-art contribution to the existing literature. Given its clear and meaningful structure, this impressive volume is highly reader-friendly and is a brilliant source for academics, students, practitioners and anyone else who has an interest in language policy matters.'

Tobias Schroedler, Assistant Professor of Multilingualism and Social Inclusion, The University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany

'Four accomplished editors from different disciplines have assembled an array of scholars collectively to produce a handbook that is extraordinary in its utility and coherence. Moving beyond description or advocacy, this volume offers both theoretical explanation and practical policy guidance. Tightly organized around the policy making cycle, it is ambitious in its scope. It provides tremendous insights about agenda-setting and implementation, skillfully weaving in a nuanced understanding about the role of ideas, the centrality of the state, as well as the agency of particular actors. This volume is highly useful for scholars, policymakers and concerned citizens, supplying guidance in policy formulation, adoption and implementation. Rather than a succession of isolated chapters, it is a truly integrated analysis of the stages of the policy process that produce language outcomes.'

Ericka Albaugh, Associate Professor of Government, Bowdoin College, USA

'The uniqueness of The Routledge Handbook of Language Policy and Planning is that it approaches LPP from an innovative and interdisciplinary angle. It is designed for a much wider readership than conventional LPP scholars, expanding both the research field at large and locus of responsibility for LPP. The editors' purpose is to include peers from a broad range of disciplines as well as practitioners and even concerned citizens. In this sense it differs rather radically from similar books in the field.'

Theo du Plessis, Professor Emeritus in Language Management, Department of South African Sign Language and Deaf Studies, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

'The Handbook offers an impressive overview of the field of Language Policy and Planning, covering the foundations of LLP, the five stages of the Language Policy Cycle and a rich variety of case studies. Through an interdisciplinary and transcontinental approach attention is given to specific languages, such as minority languages and sign language, languages in public spheres (official multilingualism and public services, media, education), in specific levels of governance (state, local, international) and regions (Africa, Europe). The editors undoubtedly achieve their goal of providing an incredible resource for scholars, decision-makers and citizens alike.'

Kristin Henrard, Professor International Law, at the Brussels School of Governance, Belgium