ABSTRACT
Language policy and planning (LPP) encompasses a wide scope of methodologies, ranging from textual analysis of policy documents to discourse analysis of language policymaking processes. This chapter discusses the applications of corpus-assisted methods to LPP discourse studies beginning with a historical overview of LPP research and corpus-assisted methods applied to this field. It introduces a focal study to illustrate the applications of corpus-assisted methodologies to LPP discourse analysis. The chapter focuses on the ideologies surrounding the terms “limited English proficient” and “English language learner” in two corpora of US Congressional hearings from both the US Senate and House of Representatives. In his historical review of LPP research, T. K. Ricento identifies three overarching factors present in all LPP research: the macro sociopolitical, the epistemological, and the strategic. Applying a corpus-based approach to the language of lawmakers can provide a glimpse into the ideologies of policymakers and politicians who create legislation.
