Political Boundaries in Language Policies: A Discussion on Institutional Settings

Abstract

This essay approaches the issue of political boundaries in language policies, particularly concerning multilingualism, translation, and English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) in institutional settings. The study aims to analyze a broader multilingual and multiliteracy perspective stemming from Aronin and Politis’ (2015), Moita Lopes’ (2008), and Climent-Ferrando’s conceptualizations on a philosophy of multilingualism, on border epistemology, and multilingual European Union policies, respectively. We base the analysis on recent literature on these themes, focusing on linguistic contexts in institutional settings. The study shows how multilingualism and translation policies undeniably entail political, cultural, and economic motivations. The use of EFL tends to be increasingly hybrid, also influenced by other languages, beyond specific contexts of the national state. Furthermore, multilingualism crucially promotes cooperation and tolerance among the world’s diverse populations.