A Post-Liberal Approach to Language Policy in Education

This provocative book examines the strengths and weaknesses of liberal political theory to inform language policy in a way that promotes individual autonomy while not reifying 'language'. Important topics of discussion include the language/identity link, language rights, language varieties, and academic language.

This provocative defense of language diversity works through the strengths and weaknesses of liberal political theory to inform language policy. The book presents the argument that policy must occupy the space between 'linguistics of community' and 'linguistics of contact' in a way that balances individual autonomy and group recognition while not reifying 'language'. Drawing on the importance of the language/identity link, the author distinguishes between language negative liberalism and language positive liberalism, arguing against the former. This distinction orients consideration of increasingly specific language policy issues, such as official languages, language rights, bilingual education, and uses of language varieties within classrooms.

1. Language Policy, Identity, and Liberalism: Some Foundational Connections

2. Formalist Liberalism and Language Policy

3. Saving Liberalism: Communities, Language, and Schooling

4. The Promise and Problem in Linguistic Human Rights

5. Post Linguistic Human Rights?

6. Post-Liberal Language in Education Policy

7. A Post-Liberal Approach: Broadening Language and Narrowing Policy