One-nation-one-language ideology 1民族1言語のイデオロギー
Weber and Horner (2012) observe: "According to this ideology, language can be equated with territory, and the link between language and national identity is essential" (p. 18). This ideology is closely connected to the myth of monolinguailsm, i.e., the misleading (but commonly accepted) idea that most nations each have one language. The "one-nation-one-language ideology" tends to make invisible and inaudible users of other languages within national boundaries. In other words, the interests and concerns of minority language groups disappear from public view, debate, and concern with the "one-nation-one-language ideology".
(1) This 2016 post by Makiko Fukuda at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain, focuses on strongly established language ideologies in Japan. The post begins: "Japan’s monolingualism has been deeply rooted in Japanese society for many centuries and today it is still preserved, both explicitly and implicitly. In 1986, Yasuhiro Nakasone, Japanese prime minister then, publicly stated that “Japan is a monoethnic country and therefore minorities do not exist.” His words were controversial and organisations defending the Ainu nation (Japan’s indigenous people) protested furiously against the prime minister. Later, politicians who see Japan as a monocultural, monolingual and monoethnic country repeated similar arguments, as though there were no linguistic diversity in Japan ..." To read the rest of this post, click here.
(2) This recent news article reports on the effects of the "one-nation-one-language ideology" in relation to Tibetan language education and the promotion of Chinese language in Tibet.
(3) In this opinion piece the writer looks at the effects of a monolingual ideology in New Zealand.
(4) A recent report indicates that 75% of UK residents speak only English - they are monolingual - and that, with Brexit, people are becoming more reluctant to learn other languages.
References
East, M. (29 April 2015). Monolingualism - inflexible, insensitive and arrogant. The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved from https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11440346
Fukuda, M (29 April 2016). 12. Linguistic ideologies in Japan. Retrieved from http://catedra-unesco.espais.iec.cat/en/2016/04/29/12-linguistic-ideologies-in-japan/
The Guardian (29 May 2018). British 'linguaphobia' has deepened since Brexit vote, say experts. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/may/28/british-linguaphobia-has-deepened-since-brexit-vote-say-experts
The Guardian (22 May 2018). Activist sentenced to five years in prison for promoting Tibetan language. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/22/activist-sentenced-to-five-years-in-prison-for-promoting-tibetan-language?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Weber, J-J., & Horner, K. (2012). Introducing multilingualism: A social approach. London: Routledge.