Language Ideologies and Policy Development: Navigating Identity, Education, and Globalization
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61978/lingua.v3i1.1038Keywords:
Language Ideologies, Language Policy, Multilingual Education, Minority Languages, Globalization, Linguistic Diversity, Social InequalityAbstract
Language ideologies play a decisive role in shaping language policy, influencing national identity, education, minority language preservation, globalization, and systemic inequalities. This narrative review examines how ideological frameworks inform policy development across diverse contexts. Using Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, relevant studies were identified through strategic keyword searches and evaluated based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The analysis shows that national language policies often embody ideological commitments to unity and global competitiveness, privileging dominant or colonial languages at the expense of minority tongues. In education, policies prioritizing global languages like English can hinder equitable learning outcomes, while mother-tongue based multilingual education demonstrates significant benefits for comprehension, retention, and cultural identity. Revitalization programs in regions such as New Zealand and Latin America highlight how positive ideologies and community ownership foster minority language survival. Globalization and neoliberal ideologies further commodify language, framing it as human capital and reinforcing hierarchies that marginalize local languages. Critical studies reveal how hegemonic languages perpetuate inequality, particularly in academic and professional domains. Systemic governance factors mediate these outcomes, with decentralized and participatory models enabling more inclusive policies. Despite these insights, existing literature shows regional, methodological, and theoretical limitations, underscoring the need for broader comparative and interdisciplinary research. Overall, balancing global participation with local linguistic identities remains urgent. Sustainable reforms must prioritize multilingual education, inclusive governance, and community engagement to promote linguistic justice and cultural diversity.
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