Allokatsioon

Allokatsioon is a concept in Estonian language didactics that refers to the allocation of language varieties within a speech community. It is based on the assumption that different language varieties are used in different social situations, contexts, and domains, and that each variety has its own specific characteristics, functions, and functions.

Gottfried Schröter, an Estonian linguist, introduced the concept of allokatsioon in the 1920s to analyze the complex language situation in Estonia, where multiple language varieties, including Estonian, Russian, and German, existed side by side. According to Schröter, allokatsioon refers to the process of allocation of language varieties in a speech community, where each variety is assigned to a specific domain or context, such as family, education, workplace, or social interactions.

Schröter's theory of allokatsioon highlights the importance of social and contextual factors in shaping language use. He argues that the allocation of language varieties is not random or arbitrary, but is rather determined by the social, cultural, and economic contexts in which they are used. For instance, in Estonian society, Estonian was traditionally used in formal and institutional settings, while Russian was used in informal and family settings.

The concept of allokatsioon has been influential in language pedagogy and language planning in Estonia and other countries with complex language situations. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the social and contextual factors that influence language use and has contributed to the development of language-in-education policies that take into account the multilingual nature of speech communities.