Template-Type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Teichmann, H.
Author-Name-Last: Teichmann
Author-Name-First: Hans
Author-Name: de Vries, H.J.
Author-Name-Last: de Vries
Author-Name-First: Henk
Title: Language Selection Policies in International Standardization – Perception of the IEC Member Countries
Abstract: International standards setting organizations have different language selection policies. These policies have, besides their financial aspects, also an important cultural/ political dimension. The standards setting organizations are either bilingual (English/ French), or unilingual (English), or multilingual (English, French and further languages). We have investigated the references of the 65 national members of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The main findings are a moderate preference for the use of both English and French for the technical work, and a strong preference for the use of English only for communication.. The obvious dominance of the English language is seen as a necessity, rather than an indication of a hypothetical Anglo-American linguistic/ cultural imperialism. Finally, some conclusions regarding language selection policies in international standards setting organizations are presented.
Creation-Date: 2009-06-02
File-URL: https://repub.eur.nl/pub/16038/ERS-2009-031-LIS.pdf
File-Format: application/pdf
Series: RePEc:ems:eureri
Number: ERS-2009-031-LIS
Classification-JEL: L15, M, M11, O31, O32
Keywords: IEC, bilingualism, international standardization, language selection policies, multilingualism, unilingualism
Handle: RePEc:ems:eureri:16038