The impact of global English on language policy : the situations of Iceland and Denmark

Abstract

This thesis explores the tensions between national language policies and the ideologies underpinning them, and globalisation.  In contributing to the current debates on this theme (for example, Mar-Molinero and Stevenson, 2006), I investigate the two case studies of Iceland and Denmark and their less well known European languages: Icelandic and Danish.  I examine how global factors, specifically the impact of English, affect language policy in these two nations.

The policy areas under investigation are those of education, cultural products and information technology.  The impact of English in these areas has resulted in an infiltration of English words and structures into the corpus of both languages.  This has led to the formation of language policies in both countries in order to endeavour to counteract English.  My findings indicate, however, that the effectiveness of language policies is dependent upon the strength of nationalist ideologies underpinning the national languages, and upon institutional and public support for them.

My research is carried out within the context of the supranational entities of Europe, and the Nordic region, to determine whether the language policies of these regions affect the national language policies of Iceland and Denmark, specifically whether they can assist these small nations in counteracting English.

In order to carry out the study, visits were made to Iceland and Denmark, firstly to interview key professionals in language planning and policy, and secondly to do a survey of secondary school students to get an idea of their language practices.

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