keelepolitikale

Keelepolitikale, more commonly referred to in Estonian as keelepoliitika, is the field that studies and governs how languages are used within a political unit, such as a country or region, and within institutions. It covers the rules, practices, and guidelines that determine which languages are official, how languages are used in education, administration, media, and public life, and how linguistic rights are protected or promoted. Language policy also includes planning activities such as terminology standardization, translation and interpretation, and the development of language resources and institutions.

The aims of language policy typically include ensuring clear and accessible public communication, supporting social cohesion and inclusion, protecting minority language rights, promoting cultural and linguistic diversity, and enabling participation in education and the economy. Instruments of keelepolitikale can include official language statutes, policies on schooling and language of instruction, public service language use, broadcasting and media regulations, signage and public information requirements, and support for translation, interpretation, and language technology. The policy operates within national, regional, and international contexts and interacts with immigration, regional languages, and digital communication.

Common debates surrounding language policy revolve around balancing national unity with linguistic rights of minority groups, determining the cost and practicality of providing services in multiple languages, and keeping policy responsive to changing demographics and technology. Evaluating language policy often involves measures of access to services, educational outcomes, and the preservation or revitalization of minority languages, as well as the effectiveness of translation and interpretation systems.