In linguistics, codification is the social process of a language's natural variation being reduced and features becoming more fixed or subject to prescriptive rules. Codification is a precursor to standardization: the development of a standard variety of a language.
Codifying a language can vary from case to case and depends on the stage of standardization that might have already occurred naturally. It typically means to develop a writing system, set up normative rules for grammar, orthography, pronunciation, and usage of vocabulary as well as publish grammar books, dictionaries and similar guidelines. In cases where several variants exist for a specific aspect, e.g. different ways of spelling a word, decisions on which variant is going to be the standard one have to be made.
In some countries such codification is done by a body constituted by the state, such as the Académie française. Codification often happens due to new inventions, changes in values or other cultural influences. After the process of decolonialization, many African states had to decide whether they wanted to keep the colonial language or chose one (or more) of their indigenous language varieties as official languages, which made language planning necessary.
In a well-known model of language planning by Einar Haugen, codification is only the second step. Step one is the selection process, step three is the implementation of the changes in society and step four is the elaboration of vocabulary (especially technical terms). In the process of language planning, two major levels exist: corpus planning and status planning (Heinz Kloss). Codification is part of the corpus planning of a language, because the "body" of the language itself is being planned as opposed to status planning, where the prestige and usage of a language is enhanced:
- Corpus planning: Codification of a language (step 2); elaborating its functions to meet language needs (step 4)
- Status planning: Selection of a language (step 1); implementing its functions by spreading it (step 3)
Whether the codification is successful depends heavily on its acceptance by the population as well as its form of implementation by the government, e.g. promoting its prestige and spread, teaching the codified norm in school and language courses, and so on.
See also
- Official language
- Code
- Character encoding
- Language planning
- List of language regulators
- Usage
- Usus
Notes
- Hickey Raymond, ed. (2012). "Glossary". Standards of English: Codified Varieties around the World. Cambridge University Press, p. 393.
- Matthews, P. H., editor (2014). "codify". The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Linguistics. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 21 Mar. 2024.
- Davies, Alan (2020). Glossary of Applied Linguistics. United Kingdom: Edinburgh University Press, p. 23.
- García, Ofelia (2011). "Planning Spanish: Nationalizing, Minoritizing and Globalizing Performances" (PDF). In Díaz-Campos, Manuel (ed.). The Handbook of Hispanic Sociolinguistics. Blackwell Publishing. pp. 667–685. ISBN 9781405195003.
- Holmes 2001, p. 102
References
Further reading
- Arntz, Reiner (1998): Das vielsprachige Europa: eine Herausforderung für Sprachpolitik und Sprachplanung. Hildesheim: Hildesheimer Universitätsbibliothek.
- Coulmas, F. (1985): Sprache und Staat. Studien zur Sprachplanung und Sprachpolitik. New York: de Gruyter.
- Mesthrie, R. Et al. (2000): Introducing Sociolinguistics. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 384–418.
In linguistics codification is the social process of a language s natural variation being reduced and features becoming more fixed or subject to prescriptive rules Codification is a precursor to standardization the development of a standard variety of a language Codifying a language can vary from case to case and depends on the stage of standardization that might have already occurred naturally It typically means to develop a writing system set up normative rules for grammar orthography pronunciation and usage of vocabulary as well as publish grammar books dictionaries and similar guidelines In cases where several variants exist for a specific aspect e g different ways of spelling a word decisions on which variant is going to be the standard one have to be made In some countries such codification is done by a body constituted by the state such as the Academie francaise Codification often happens due to new inventions changes in values or other cultural influences After the process of decolonialization many African states had to decide whether they wanted to keep the colonial language or chose one or more of their indigenous language varieties as official languages which made language planning necessary In a well known model of language planning by Einar Haugen codification is only the second step Step one is the selection process step three is the implementation of the changes in society and step four is the elaboration of vocabulary especially technical terms In the process of language planning two major levels exist corpus planning and status planning Heinz Kloss Codification is part of the corpus planning of a language because the body of the language itself is being planned as opposed to status planning where the prestige and usage of a language is enhanced Corpus planning Codification of a language step 2 elaborating its functions to meet language needs step 4 Status planning Selection of a language step 1 implementing its functions by spreading it step 3 Whether the codification is successful depends heavily on its acceptance by the population as well as its form of implementation by the government e g promoting its prestige and spread teaching the codified norm in school and language courses and so on See alsoOfficial language Code Character encoding Language planning List of language regulators Usage UsusNotesHickey Raymond ed 2012 Glossary Standards of English Codified Varieties around the World Cambridge University Press p 393 Matthews P H editor 2014 codify The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Linguistics Oxford University Press Retrieved 21 Mar 2024 Davies Alan 2020 Glossary of Applied Linguistics United Kingdom Edinburgh University Press p 23 Garcia Ofelia 2011 Planning Spanish Nationalizing Minoritizing and Globalizing Performances PDF In Diaz Campos Manuel ed The Handbook of Hispanic Sociolinguistics Blackwell Publishing pp 667 685 ISBN 9781405195003 Holmes 2001 p 102ReferencesHaugen Einar 1966 Language conflict and language planning The case of Modern Norwegian Cambridge Mass Harvard University Press ISBN 9780674498709 Holmes Janet 2001 An introduction to Sociolinguistics 2nd ed London et al Longman pp 95 120 ISBN 9780582328617 Further readingArntz Reiner 1998 Das vielsprachige Europa eine Herausforderung fur Sprachpolitik und Sprachplanung Hildesheim Hildesheimer Universitatsbibliothek Coulmas F 1985 Sprache und Staat Studien zur Sprachplanung und Sprachpolitik New York de Gruyter Mesthrie R Et al 2000 Introducing Sociolinguistics Edinburgh Edinburgh University Press 384 418
