ABSTRACT
The first research question we asked is: with the core ideas in SFL how can we appropriately constitute a theoretical foundation to approach language policy? Treating language policy from the perspective of SFL has been justified by three aspects: social semiotic, meaning potential and system. Since language policy operates within a speech community of whatever size, and it functions in a complex ecological relationship among a wide range of linguistic and non-linguistic variables, it shares much with SFL. Among the others, both lay special emphasis on the social nature, and both attach great importance to the position that man occupies a central place. Social nature is thus an inherent feature of the discipline of SFL and language policy. That is to say, both can be regarded as social semiotic.
