Family Language Policy

Family language policy (FLP) is defined as explicit and overt as well as implicit and covert language planning by family members in relation to language choice and literacy practices within home domains and among family members. Bridging the gaps between studies of child language acquisition and the field of language policy research, the study of FLP looks into how parental language ideologies interact with broader socio-political forces to influence interactions in the family. Concomitantly, FLP also provides a framework to examine the language management measures caregivers provide to change language practices of their children. This chapter outlines briefly the theoretical conceptualisation of FLP currently used by most researchers. It then provides a discussion of the major contributions to the field by focusing on three major themes: FLP and language-in-education policy; FLP and language ideology; and linguistic practices and the processes of language change. This is followed by an overview of recent developments in research methodology employed in the field. Lastly, future directions in research resulting from increasing transnational migration and evolving political environments are outlined.