The ecology of language planning in Timor-Leste

Abstract

Language planning can be broadly defined as ‘activity most visibly undertaken by government … intended to promote systematic linguistic change; to modify language behaviour in a community of speakers’. Language policy can be defined as a set of ideas, laws and practices intended to achieve the desired change used to pursue the agendas of those in power. However, in this paper, I present it as a way of sustaining endangered languages and controlling the spread of dominant languages. Using the metaphor of language ecology, language planning can be understood as the active management of the language environment. I argue that active management of the language ecology will protect and promote multilingualism in Timor-Leste by allowing space for all languages in the system and that a model of additive multilingualism offers the best chance of an inclusive and accommodating language policy.