Language Governance In Multilingual Society

The purpose of this study is to explore the development of language service policy for multilingual populations in the United States and the governance-mode of the government in providing them with appropriate language service.Although the U.S.has promoted diversity,equity,and inclusion,people who are not proficient in the English language are often excluded from mainstream American society.For these reasons,the U.S.government has implemented specific language policies to support those with limited English proficiency.This study adopts the governance theory of public administration and linguistics and uses qualitative document and in-depth interview methods to analyze language service policies and practices in the U.S.Thus,this study suggests three primary research questions:(1)What kind of language service programs has the U.S.developed based on its national characteristics and linguistic ideology?(2)What have been the primary missions,goals,and implementations of this language service policy?(3)How has language service policy in the U.S.been developed and implemented?Along with these central research questions,this study also established these primary contents:(1)dynamic language service programs for diverse multilingual populations;(2)promoting equal opportunity,eliminating language barriers and establishing efficient government;and(3)the development of language service policy and key events.Notably,the second content includes six categorical themes:(a)Justice combined administration to support diverse populations;(b)social and multi-agents and community relations;(c)policy consistency and resource sharing;(d)customized language services;(e)optional language services;and(f)mutual rapport and support among members of language service programs.Further,the third content consists of four themes:(a)vacant language services;(b)supplementary language services;(c)systemic language services;and(d)comprehensive language services.The implementation of the policy forms a closed loop of evaluating needs and resources,formulating policies,issuing notices,accepting supervision and feedback,and updating language services to comply with regulations.Aligned with the major findings,this study provides a scholarly discussion regarding the social importance of language service and language governance in contemporary multilingual society,attempting to promote a theory and practice of sociolinguistics and language policy.