Editing Codification (linguistics)

{{Short description|Normalisation of a language's variations}}
{{About|a normative process in sociolinguistics|other uses|Codification (disambiguation)}}
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In [[linguistics]], '''codification''' is the social process of a language's natural [[Variation_(linguistics)|variation]] being reduced and features becoming more fixed or subject to [[Linguistic prescription|prescriptive]] rules.<ref>Hickey Raymond, ed. (2012). "Glossary". ''Standards of English: Codified Varieties around the World''. Cambridge University Press, p. 393.</ref><ref>Matthews, P. H., editor (2014). "[https://www-oxfordreference-com.wikipedialibrary.idm.oclc.org/view/10.1093/acref/9780199675128.001.0001/acref-9780199675128-e-553. codify]". ''The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Linguistics''. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 21 Mar. 2024.</ref> Codification is a precursor to standardization: the development of a [[standard language|standard variety]] of a language.<ref>Davies, Alan (2020). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=sW8xEAAAQBAJ&q=%22it%20is%20in%20standard%20languages%20that%20forms%20are%20described%20as%22 Glossary of Applied Linguistics]''. United Kingdom: Edinburgh University Press, p. 23.</ref>

Codifying a language can vary from case to case and depends on the stage of standardization that might have already occurred naturally. It typically means to develop a [[writing system]], set up normative rules for [[grammar]], [[orthography]], [[pronunciation]], and usage of [[vocabulary]] as well as publish grammar books, [[dictionary|dictionaries]] and similar guidelines. In cases where several variants exist for a specific aspect, e.g. different ways of spelling a word, decisions on which variant is going to be the standard one have to be made.

In some countries such codification is done by a body constituted by the state, such as the {{lang|fr|[[Académie française]]|italic=no}}. Codification often happens due to new inventions, changes in values or other cultural influences. After the process of decolonialization, many [[Africa]]n states had to decide whether they wanted to keep the colonial language or chose one (or more) of their [[vernacular language|indigenous language]] varieties as official languages, which made [[language planning]] necessary.

In a well-known model of language planning by [[Einar Haugen]], codification is only the second step. Step one is the selection process, step three is the implementation of the changes in society and step four is the elaboration of vocabulary (especially technical terms).<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url=http://ofeliagarciadotorg.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/planning-spanish.pdf |chapter=Planning Spanish: Nationalizing, Minoritizing and Globalizing Performances |first=Ofelia |last=García |title=The Handbook of Hispanic Sociolinguistics |editor-first=Manuel |editor-last=Díaz-Campos |date=2011 |isbn=9781405195003 |publisher=Blackwell Publishing |pages=667–685}}</ref> In the process of language planning, two major levels exist: corpus planning and status planning ([[Heinz Kloss]]). Codification is part of the corpus planning of a language, because the "body" of the language itself is being planned as opposed to status planning, where the [[prestige (sociolinguistics)|prestige]] and usage of a language is enhanced:<ref>{{harvnb|Holmes|2001|page=102}}</ref>

*Corpus planning: Codification of a language (step 2); elaborating its functions to meet language needs (step 4)
*Status planning: Selection of a language (step 1); implementing its functions by spreading it (step 3)

Whether the codification is successful depends heavily on its acceptance by the population as well as its form of implementation by the government, e.g. promoting its prestige and spread, teaching the codified norm in school and language courses, and so on.

==See also==
* [[Official language]]
* [[Code]]
* [[Character encoding]]
* [[Language planning]]
* [[List of language regulators]]
* [[Usage (language)|Usage]]
* [[Usus]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
* {{cite book |last=Haugen |first=Einar |date=1966 |title=Language conflict and language planning: The case of Modern Norwegian |location=Cambridge (Mass.) |publisher=Harvard University Press |isbn=9780674498709}}
* {{cite book |last=Holmes |first=Janet |date=2001 |title=An introduction to Sociolinguistics |edition=2nd |location=London et al. |publisher=Longman |pages=95–120 |isbn=9780582328617}}

==Further reading==
* Arntz, Reiner (1998): Das vielsprachige Europa: eine Herausforderung für Sprachpolitik und Sprachplanung. Hildesheim: Hildesheimer Universitätsbibliothek.
* Coulmas, F. (1985): Sprache und Staat. Studien zur Sprachplanung und Sprachpolitik. New York: de Gruyter.
* Mesthrie, R. Et al. (2000): Introducing Sociolinguistics. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 384–418.

[[Category:Sociolinguistics]]