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.
作者简介: 莉萨·J.麦肯蒂-阿塔利尼斯（Lisa J. McEntee-Atalianis），女，伦敦大学准教授，主要研究方向为国际组织语言政策与规划。
引用本文:
〔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.
Lisa J. McEntee-Atalianis. Current Challenges of Language Policy for International Organisations. , 2022, 7(2): 32-43.
