Abstract:Language policy is a developing sociolinguistic subject and has been a hot research topic currently. After World War II, American language policy experiences an alternation of “bilingual education” and “English-Only”, and a change from the neglect of foreign languages education to the value of critical languages. This paper will use the literature method to study evolution of American language policy and reveal its nature deeply to provide a window for understanding American real culture and society. According to this paper, to assimilate ethnic groups and consolidate the status of English, American suppresses and destroys autochthonous languages and immigrant languages. However, America federal government does not make a distinct official legislation to stipulate English as an only official language, Anglo-Saxon culture, which is also the core of American culture maintains the absolute authority of English. This paper aims at extracting experience to explore appropriate language policies in China and giving service to the protection of minority languages and international promotion of Chinese.

Key words: American language policy, English-Only Movement, Chinese Promotion

CONTENTS

摘要

Abstract

1. Introduction1

2. Literature Review.2

3. Development of American Language Policy after World War II.3

3.1 Vigorous Development of Bilingual Education

3.1.1 Social and Cultural Background

3.1.2 Documents on Bilingual Education and Effects

3.2 Bilingual Education under Attack of English Only Movement

3.2.1 Rise of English Only Movement

3.2.2 Documents and Results

3.3 American Language Policy after Terror Attacks of September 11th, 2001

3.3.1 Language Policy on Critical Languages

3.3.2 American English Spread Policy

4. Analysis of American Language Policy since World War II8

4.1 The Nature of American Language Policy

4.2 Influences of American Language Policy

5. Enlightenment on Language Policy in China.9

5.1 Promoting Awareness of Mother-tongue

5.2 Strengthening International Promotion of Chinese

5.3 Paying more Attention to Language Strategy and National Security

6. Conclusion11

Bibliography.12

Acknowledgements13