Remarks on the Diversity of Theoretical Perspectives in Language Policy Research

Notas sobre a diversidade de perspectivas teóricas em pesquisas sobre política linguística

ABSTRACT

In this article, which opens the second issue of Volume 19 of Revista Brasileira de Linguística Aplicada, we discuss some existing epistemological divergences in language policy research. In the first section, two lines of divergence will be outlined: (i) the focus on official versus de facto language policies; (ii) the conception of language policymakers versus subjects of language policies. In the second section, based on the analysis of titles of thematic issues, dossiers and books recently published in Brazil, we argue that this diversity of perspectives may be clearly noticed in the research carried out in the country. We finish our text highlighting some issues that have gained strength in the Brazilian research agenda.

KEYWORDS:
language policy research; epistemological divergences; official language policy; de facto language policy; policymakers; Brazilian language policies