UNIT 423-3: STANDARDIZATION AND INSTITUTIONAL EFFORTS

423.3.0: AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND STRUCTURE

     This is in continuation with the eleventh unit under the Course DTS 411. By reading the present unit, you will be able to achieve the following:

This unit will have the following structure:

423.3.1  : INTRODUCTION

     The process of language standardization as a linguistic phenomenon is as old as the language itself though it is more often associated with attempts at purification or codification of language. The term has, however, assumed a technical overtone ever since linguists, working on the language problems of under-developed or developing countries in multilingual contexts, developed the notions of language planning and a gave new frames of reference to notions like language modernization, language standardization, language adaptation and language cultivation. (Weinreich 1957, Fishman 1969: 186, Haugen 1979: 243-256, Neustupni 1970: 77-98). Whereas the traditional concept of language standardization is viewed mainly in terms of a natural linguistic phenomenon occurring in the course of development of a language, the new concept of standardization is viewed mainly as conscious organized attempt fulfilling the ends of language modernization in developing countries.