Discourse Planning

Abstract

Although discourse has always played a crucial role in the formation and implementation of language policy`, scholastic recognition of its importance was not apparent until the 1990s. Haarmann (1990:105–105) saw psychological preparation for the application of policy to practice as sufficiently independent of corpus and status planning to warrant a distinct analytical category, which he labeled ‘prestige planning’. Neustupný (1994:50) characterised planning as a process that begins with the discursive construction of language problem and ends with their discursive resolution. More recently, Tollefson (2002:5) has called on researchers to pay more attention to how policies mobilise public opinion, and Lo Bianco (2009:103) has highlighted how public texts, as constituents of performative action, shape social alignments behind policies.

In countries like France, Germany, Thailand and China

it’s the respective national languages that are used in the courts, although they also consider English an important language as far as international and commercial matters are concerned. (My translation)

Ahmad Fairuz (former Chief Justice)

(Utusan Online 2008c.12.17)

If you don’t understand English you will be left behind in the law (…) If you want to limit your practice to the lower courts, fine. But if you want to expand, you have no choice.

Zaki Azmi (former Chief Justice)

(in Koshy 2013.9.15)