Doctoral student Ali Rukhsana

After the Taliban: The new role and scope of the Language/Linguistic Association in Pakistani Language Policy

Tieteellinen tutkimus / siihen pohjautuva työ | Nelivuotinen

The purpose of study is to examine language policy practices promoted by two main Pakistani linguistic Associations, as they aim at supporting teachers in the multilingual social context of post-Taliban Pakistan. The preliminary findings reveal that the major actors promote English as a global language, resulting in inner tensions with the regional languages. The coalition of US partnership, in turn, provides support for language policy development as a part of their post-Taliban policies. The study provides opportunities to develop language planning and language policies in the Pakistani and other Asian post-colonial contexts. Finland has an edge in language education policy with a priority in mother tongue based teaching; the Centre for Applied language studies at the University of Jyvaskyla is unique in providing research assistance on language education policies. This study will contribute to the current theories of language policy and planning by adopting a bottom up approach which is less researched in the domain of LPP (Language Policy Planning). LPP conventionally was studied as an administrative, bureaucratic plan of actions with State specific rules but the current practices indicate to the practicing grounds in the specific social context.