We Learn Best from Our Mistakes free essay sample

In 1963 the government appointed a â€Å"language peace† committee which was to promote the dual linguistic heritage. This committee recommended the abandonment of the linguistic fusion policy (Haugen, 1983:285). Thus the Norwegian government was forced to withdraw gradually from direct intervention. In a way, in spite of all the language reforms undertaken, Norway’s implementation program primarily focused on linguistic aspects, paying too little attention to the social side. The overall failure of the language of the language reform policy exemplifies the fact that implementation of language planning decisions depends on nonlinguistic variables. . 6Evaluation The last important component of language planning is evaluation. Once a speech community has embarked on such an endeavor, there is no telling when it stops. Objectives must be periodically re-assessed, as well as implementation procedures. Since planned changes usually interferes or at least intertwines with nat ural changes, policies sometimes have to be adapted to new situations. For example, until recently no need was felt in France to protect the French language. We will write a custom essay sample on We Learn Best from Our Mistakes or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In 1994 the French government proposed yet another law regulating language use, requiring offenders to pay a fine. These measures come at a time when linguistic minorities all over the world seek to ascertain their linguistic rights. 4Conclusion Language reforms rely on attitudes about language, on the shared norms of speech communities, both linguistic and sociolinguistic, and on nationalistic feelings and resulting sociolinguistic dynamics relating to change. Change in linguistic behavior and attitudes is what language planning is all about. Cooper (1989: 184) claims that language planning is more likely to succeed with respect to attitude than with respect to behavior, it must also be realized that, in long run, it is attitudes which lead to change.