关键词: 语言管理; 中国语言管理; 语言政策; 语言规划; 历时演进

Abstract:

Language management, a theory developed by Western scholars based on language planning and language policy practice, maintains that language planning is not only operated in a top-down manner by the government but also in a bottom-up manner from grassroots elements, the implications of which can affect the practical application of a language. Since ancient times, China has attached considerable importance to the planning and management of language. Although an official concept of language management has not formally been proposed in China, it has actually been employed in practice, which has promoted the advancement of China’s language issues. Starting from the connotations of the concept of language management, this paper briefly reviews the language management practice in ancient China, modern China, and in the era after the founding of People’s Republic of China (PRC) and characterizes the language management traits and functions across these different historical periods. In ancient China, language management was predominately implemented in a top-down manner without much involvement of grassroots elements. In modern China, multiple stakeholders jointly participated in the management of the language issues. After the founding of the PRC, language management was elevated to the national strategic level with both the top-down and the bottom-up approaches being adopted. These changes represent a gradual shift from organizational language management, to harmonious language management, and finally to ecological language management.

Keywords: language management; Chinese language management; language policy; language planning; diachronic evolution