ABSTRACT
The topics to be examined in this chapter relate to multilingualism in that they touch on issues of central importance to the language groups that make up multilingual societies. The relationship between language and group identity has long been deemed to be of considerable significance in the context of the emergence of modern states, both in Europe and in post-colonial America, Africa and Asia. When language comes to be considered an essential component of national or regional identity, either by individual language groups or by a state comprising two or more such groups, then certain consequences flow from this situation – for instance, language planning policies have to be formulated, accepted and carried out so that national harmony can be maintained and the smooth running of the affairs of the state ensured. The study of the relationship between language and nationalism has, however, proved to be difficult, as the issues involved, particularly those relating to ethnic or national identity, are complex, and, quite often, intangible. On the other hand, the subject of language planning is more accessible, since planning strategies normally become evident in government action.
