Sociopolitical Perspectives on Language Policy and Planning in the USA (review)

The book was written in honor of Dr. Charlene Junko Sato, the former chair (1982–1996) of the doctoral program in second language acquisition at the University of Hawai’i in Manoa, who recently died of ovarian cancer. The essays here are an outgrowth of a colloquium held at the 1997 American Association of Applied Linguistics convention. Like Dr. Sato’s scholarship, the articles cover a wide range of topics, all surrounding the issue of language policy planning (LPP).

The book shows how, under the guise of improving literacy and promoting tolerance and multicultural understanding, various federal programs which were implemented decades ago continue to have repercussions for people outside the United States (e.g. Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines). It comes as little surprise that many such interventions were put into practice just after World War II, during the turbulent 1950s and 1960s. In addition to this historical discussion, the book also presents some of the media coverage of the controversy surrounding new LPP interventions most recently.

Not surprisingly, perhaps, a number of articles specifically deal with Hawai’i and the unique issues pertaining to the use and promulgation of English as well as the political issues surrounding Hawaiian Creole English. Other articles explore the historical sociopolitical significance of English language planning and implementation on the mainland. Specifically, the authors present readers with much information on the recent heated debates surrounding English as an official language in Arizona, California, Nevada, Colorado, Florida. These debates are then contextualized within the changing demographics. Particular attention is given to resulting shifts in the linguistic profile of the United States and the continuing demands made by public officials. The reference provides its readers with much information on the topic of LPP as it relates to special interest groups living within the United States—from recent immigrants to ethnic minorities who have lived in the United States for generations. A particularly interesting article discusses how the issue of LPP pertains to the deaf community, a language minority whose linguistic rights have been, until recently, ignored by both linguist and politician alike. As the authors point out, this ignorance is not incidental.

Language policies do not occur independently of complex power relations, both domestic and foreign. Indeed, many of the factors which may lead to the extinction of many of the world’s languages today have been a result of policies put in place in years past. This being the case, the book serves as a challenge for linguists to abandon their attempt to maintain a passive role as observers. To do nothing in the face of such loss is in fact taking a stance, one which is becoming increasingly untenable.

Thus, through the outstanding work of her colleagues, Dr. Sato’s voice is heard throughout this provocative, informative, and exceedingly well-written reference. Not only is her research a prominent factor in many of the articles presented, but her personal commitment to serving the surrounding community through her professionalism and activism are apparent as well. This book is valuable to anyone interested in learning more about the effects of LPP in today’s changing sociopolitical world and serves as a call to researchers to use their knowledge and expertise to help plan, develop, implement, assess, and refine those projects designed to protect the inalienable language rights of the world’s peoples.