Language Policy and Its Legal Implications

Ahairwe Frank

Faculty of Business Administration and Management Kampala International University Uganda

Email: ahairwefrank56@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Language policy, while often framed as a technical or administrative matter, has profound legal, social, and political implications. This paper examines the conceptual evolution, theoretical frameworks, and diverse applications of language policy across multilingual and post-colonial contexts, particularly focusing on Africa and South Asia. It critically examines how language policies reflect and reinforce structures of power, often leading to social exclusion, educational inequality, and linguistic imperialism. Legal frameworks governing language use are assessed, showing how they both support and constrain language rights. The paper also explores grassroots challenges in implementing language policies in education and public administration, revealing gaps between policy rhetoric and lived realities. Through case studies and policy critiques, the research highlights how inclusive language planning, supported by equitable legal mechanisms, can advance social justice, preserve linguistic diversity, and improve governance. Ultimately, language policy must be seen not just as a linguistic issue but as a tool for democratic participation and legal empowerment.

Keywords: Language policy, legal implications, multilingualism, education, language rights, post-colonial states, linguistic justice.

CITE AS Ahairwe Frank (2025). Language Policy and Its Legal Implications. IDOSR JOURNAL OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES 11(3):53-58. https://doi.org/10.59298/IDOSRJAH/2025/1135358