- This article is about the field of language planning and policy. See Constructed language for details on the creation of planned or artificial languages.
Language planning is a deliberate effort to influence the function, structure, or acquisition of
languages or
language variety within a
speech community. It is often associated with
government planning, but is also used by a variety of
non-governmental organizations, such as grass-roots organizations and even individuals. The goals of language planning differ depending on the nation or organization, but generally include making planning decisions and possibly changes for the benefit of
communication. Planning or improving effective communication can also lead to other social changes such as language shift or assimilation, thereby providing another motivation to plan the structure, function and acquisition of languages.