当前国际组织语言政策面临的挑战

〔英〕莉萨·J.麦肯蒂-阿塔利尼斯

语言战略研究 ›› 2022, Vol. 7 ›› Issue (2) : 32-43.

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语言战略研究 ›› 2022, Vol. 7 ›› Issue (2) : 32-43. DOI: 10.19689/j.cnki.cn10-1361/h.20220203
语言战略研究

当前国际组织语言政策面临的挑战

  • 〔英〕莉萨·J.麦肯蒂-阿塔利尼斯
作者信息 +

Current Challenges of Language Policy for International Organisations

  • Lisa J. McEntee-Atalianis
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摘要

国际组织在语言政策与规划方面一直面临着语言异质性的挑战。以联合国为例,该组织在多语政策发展演进及当前执行过程中,在努力平衡语言公平、沟通效率和与多语服务成本时遇到过诸多困难。鉴于目前联合国6种官方语言的实际使用存在明显差距,英语霸权地位日益增强,我们认为审查联合国在语言方面的监管原则、条款规定和语言实践的时机已经成熟,建议对该组织现行语言制度进行评估和改革。这就要求先构建模型并演示不同的语言场景,以适应优先事项的变化或语言资源的限制。基于当前的官方语言和工作语言机制,可以生成不同的语言模型,模拟不同环境下语言供给机制的构成变化。这些模型需要考虑财政支持金额、语言供给公平等许多变量。在这方面,语言经济学家的工作有很多值得学习的地方,他们在分析多语环境时,考虑了配置和分配效应,即不同场景的比较成本和效率,以及语言情景变化对个体和群体的相对影响。除了经济和操作方面的限制外,还应分析语言偏好和语言信念,以确保措施能够成功。语言模型的构建将有助于审查人们(行政工作人员、会员代表和其他利益相关方)的现行做法和意识形态,并测试在联合国不同部门、机构、机关内部和之间采用和实施多种语言的可行性,这一点也关涉其他国际组织。语言模型可以为语言规划提供信息,并在一定程度上确保在公平、效率和成本这3个一直具有挑战性的因素之间取得平衡。

Abstract

This article reviews the language policy and planning challenges currently facing international organisations. Using the United Nations as a case study and exemplar, it discusses the specific challenges faced by the organisation when trying to balance the demands of linguistic equity among language users, efficiency in communication and cost associated with the maintenance of multilingual provision. The paper describes the development of the UN’s multilingual language policy and the ongoing difficulties experienced in its implementation, with marked disparity found in the use of the organisation’s six official languages and the ever-increasing hegemony of English. The article contends that the time is ripe for a review of the regulatory principles, provisions and linguistic practices and suggests a way for the organisation to assess and reform its current language regime. This, it is argued, will demand first modelling and then operating different language scenarios, which are able to accommodate and adapt to shifting priorities or (resource) constraints. Models of different configurations (using the current official/working languages) are presented. These simulate changes to the constitution of language provision in different settings. These scenarios can be applied when taking into account a number of variables, e.g. the amount of financial support for any setting; equity of language provision; the linguistic expertise of personnel in any grouping; expediency of communication; access to language interpreters/translators; preference for lingua franca usage etc. It is argued that there is much to learn from the work of language economists who, in their analyses of multilingual contexts, consider allocative and distributive effects, i.e. comparative cost and efficiency of different scenarios and the relative impact of changing language scenarios on individuals and groups. It is also argued that in addition to economic and operational constraints, user preferences and beliefs should also be analysed to ensure success of take-up. Modelling will support a review of current practices and ideologies (of administrative staff, member state representatives and other stakeholders) and test the feasibility of introducing and operating multiple language scenarios within and across different departments, agencies and bodies of the UN, which has relevance for other inter/supernational organisations too. Modelling can inform planning and go some way to ensuring a balance can be struck between the persistently challenging trilogy of: equity, efficiency and cost.

关键词

国际组织/超国家组织 / 联合国 / 政策分析 / 语言制度

Key words

Inter/supranational organisations / the United Nations / policy analysis / language regimes

引用本文

导出引用
〔英〕莉萨·J.麦肯蒂-阿塔利尼斯. 当前国际组织语言政策面临的挑战[J]. 语言战略研究. 2022, 7(2): 32-43 https://doi.org/10.19689/j.cnki.cn10-1361/h.20220203
Lisa J. McEntee-Atalianis. Current Challenges of Language Policy for International Organisations[J]. Chinese Journal of Language Policy and Planning. 2022, 7(2): 32-43 https://doi.org/10.19689/j.cnki.cn10-1361/h.20220203

基金

本文系作者专门为《语言战略研究》“国际组织语言政策”栏目撰写。

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