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Article published In: Language Problems and Language Planning
Vol. 46:1 (2022) ► pp.26–54

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Language policies and organizational features of international organizations

 | Zhejiang University
ORCiD logo with link | Zhejiang University
 | Zhejiang University
Published online: 21 March 2022
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/lplp.21028.zha
Abstract
Language policy, which is directly concerned with organizational operation, functions, and objectives, has become an increasingly important issue in international organizations (IOs). However, research on IOs’ language policies, especially exploration based on large-scale data, is rather limited. Using data from the Yearbook of International Organizations (2020–2021), this study explores how IOs select their languages. It is found that: (1) Federations of IOs and IGOs are more likely to choose languages other than English, whereas universal membership organizations and NGOs are much more likely to use English; (2) IOs headquartered in Western countries adopt more diverse languages than those in Asia, and those headquartered in developed countries are more prone to choose local language(s) than those in developing countries; (3) IOs with a longer history tend more towards multilingualism; (4) IOs dealing with religion, law, society, transportation, and communication are more inclined to be multilingual; and (5) IOs with individual members generally choose fewer languages than those with IO members. These findings reveal that IOs’ language management is shaped not only by internal and external organizational features, but also by the interactions between these features and language values.
摘要
本文基于《国际组织年鉴（2020~2021）》数据探讨国际组织的语言政策，发现组织类型、总部选址、历史发展、活动主题、成员结构等内外部组织特征对语言选择影响显著：国际组织联盟及政府间国际组织更倾向于使用英语外的语言，而全球性国际组织及非政府间国际组织则更多使用英语；总部所在国经济越发达，国际组织越倾向于使用当地语言；历史悠久的组织语言选择更多样；宗教、法律、社会、交通及传播类组织语言多样性较高。由此可见，国际组织的语言选择是内外部因素共同作用的结果，这些因素同语言价值相互博弈，共同塑造国际组织的语言政策。
Resumo
Lingvopolitiko, kiu rekte ligiĝas kun organizaj operacioj, funkcioj kaj celoj, fariĝas daŭre pli grava demando en internaciaj organizoj (IOj). Tamen, esplorado pri la lingvaj politikoj de IOj, precipe enketado bazita je donitaĵoj je vasta skalo, estas iom limigita. Utiligante donitaĵojn el la Jarlibro de Internaciaj Organizoj (2020-2021), la nuna studo esploras kiel IOj selektas siajn lingvojn. Evidentas, ke: (1) Federacioj de IOj kaj interregistaraj organizoj emas selekti lingvojn aliajn ol la angla, dum universalaj membro-organizoj kaj NROj multe pli ofte uzas la anglan; (2) IOj kun ĉefsidejoj en Okcidentaj landoj alprenas pli diversajn lingvojn ol tiuj en Azio, kaj tiuj kun ĉefsidejoj en evoluintaj landoj estas pli emaj elekti loka(j)n lingvo(j)n ol tiuj en evoluantaj landoj; (3) IOj kun pli longa historio pli emas al multlingvismo; (4) IOj kiuj traktas religion, juron, socion, transportadon kaj komunikadon pli multe inklinas al multlingvaj politikoj; kaj 5) IOj kun individuaj membroj kutime elektas malpli da lingvoj ol tiuj kies membroj estas IOj. Tiuj ĉi konstatoj montras, ke la lingva mastrumado de IOj estas formata ne nur de internaj kaj eksteraj organizaj aspektoj, sed ankaŭ de la interagoj inter tiuj aspektoj unuflanke kaj lingvaj valoroj aliflanke.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Literature review on the language management of international organizations
  • 3.Methodology
    • 3.1Data and sample
    • 3.2Data analysis
  • 4.Analysis and results
    • 4.1Overview of official and working languages declared by the sampled IOs
    • 4.2The number of declared languages
      • Membership
      • Region/Continent
      • Age
      • Subject of concern
    • 4.3Declaration of languages other than English
      • Type A vs. Type B
      • Government involvement: IGO vs. NGO
      • Age
    • 4.4Declaration of (de facto) national language(s) of headquarters countries
      • Region/Continent
      • Socioeconomic development of headquarters countries: Developing vs. developed countries
  • 5.Discussion and conclusions
  • Notes
  • References
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