Language Policy and Planning:A Neglected Interdisciplinary Approach in Macro-Political and Macro-Cultural Policy Making in Iran

In recent decades, due to the political, social, economic and educational developments, both nationwide and worldwide, language policy and planning (LPP) as a subdiscipline of sociolinguistics has gained the growing attention of researchers and policy-makers. On the one hand, the appearance of increasing number of research works on the topic and on the other hand, the development of language policy documents and their practice in various societies are witnesses to the claim. The study of the issue of language in Iran reveals that despite the efficiency of the branch in solving some language-related problems and overcoming some potential challenges, LPP has been neglected in both research and practice. Thus, this paper first attempts to introduce this subdiscipline, its concepts, models and trends; then presents the situation of language ecology of Iran. In order to show its significance and step-by-step application, a proposed framework for policy-making and planning of local languages, as an issue which has the capacity of turning into a threat in future, is presented. The findings of the discussion on the topic first reveals the necessity of scientific encounter with the issue, then show the efficacy of applying this subdiscipline in order to overcome the challenges and enhance the political, cultural and social foundations of the Iranian society.