Language Policy Planning as a Political Tool for Social Stratification: Analysing the Case of Paraguay

Abstract

In the study of unequal societies as the result of language use, the Paraguayan case stands out among several realities. Paraguay is a South American country which offers a unique opportunity to analyse how language(s) may influence the socioeconomic position or social mobility of people. In this scenario, the present article analyses the political purposes that Language Policy and Planning (LPP) has served in Paraguay as well as the consequences this approach has produced regarding society segmentation. Through a literature review, the text emphasises how LPP was developed in an early and modern stage of the Paraguay government. On this regard, a dangerous relationship between the government's political wing and the approach of LPP is exposed. Moreover, society stratification is understood as one of the main consequences of this link. Finally, a reflection about possible considerations when designing LPP is proposed in the conclusion.