On Border Language Capacity

Zhang Tianwei

Chinese Journal of Language Policy and Planning ›› 2025, Vol. 10 ›› Issue (3) : 18-29.

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Chinese Journal of Language Policy and Planning ›› 2025, Vol. 10 ›› Issue (3) : 18-29. DOI: 10.19689/j.cnki.cn10-1361/h.20250302

On Border Language Capacity

  • Zhang Tianwei
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Abstract

Border languages have received much academic attention in recent years. This study focuses on border language capacity and provides a theoretical discussion of border language capacity. Based on the geographic space of language use, border languages can be categorized into along-the-border, peripheral, and cross-border languages. Border language capacity, defined as a nation’s collective capacity to use border languages to serve national strategic security, meet language needs for frontier governance, and handle border-related affairs, with a focus on dimensions such as national interests, security, needs, and consciousness. As an essential component of national language capability, border language competence plays a critical role in maintaining national security, promoting shared prosperity, and consolidating border governance. From the perspective of contemporary border governance theories, the construction of such capacity must keep pace with changing times and shifting global dynamics, which requires: (1) foundational linguistic research based on comprehensive language surveys; (2) focused research and education on strategically significant languages; and (3) timely and scientific evaluation of the outcomes of border language initiatives. In the context of the new era, marked by technological advancement and global transformation, it is an inevitable trend to empower the construction of border language capacity by integrating scientific and technological innovations.

Key words

border language capacity / border areas / border languages / national language capacity / critical languages

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Zhang Tianwei. On Border Language Capacity[J]. Chinese Journal of Language Policy and Planning. 2025, 10(3): 18-29 https://doi.org/10.19689/j.cnki.cn10-1361/h.20250302

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