ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-NAV-G05-012 · ATLAS 259

Language ideology

Language ideologies are socially situated ideas about what language is like, how it should be used and how it relates to people or groups.

Part of the subject path Semantics and Signs

Why is this entry in the Atlas?

A · Analytical concept R1 · Distinct contribution to understanding

Language ideology adds social ideas about proper language as conditions of evaluation and usage. Such a belief does not itself constitute an empirical property of the language concerned.

Colours and admission grounds

The rectangular label identifies the entry function: F – linguistic figure or procedure; A – analytical concept; G – foundational concept; E – selected concrete case. The rounded badge indicates the admission ground: R1 – distinctive contribution; R2 – necessary foundation; R3 – justified illustrative case. This editorial rationale explains the current selection rather than claiming an undocumented original selection history.

Explanation

Language ideologies are socially situated ideas about what language is like, how it should be used and how it relates to people or groups. They can make particular ways of speaking appear educated, authentic or inappropriate and thereby shape institutions and everyday practices. Ideology here does not simply mean deliberate deception or an individual's mistaken belief. Analysis examines how evaluations connect with social interests, experience and forms of order. Researchers must also reflect on their own categories. A single statement about language does not establish a comprehensive ideology; recurring patterns and context matter.

Movement of thought

1. Collect language-related evaluations. 2. Identify attributed groups. 3. Examine institutional consequences. 4. Record competing positions. 5. Reflect on analytical categories.

Scientific use case

Discourse analysis can examine attitudes, selection practices and linguistic landscapes together.

Example

Treating an accent as evidence of incompetence without examining performance links a way of speaking to a social judgement.

Counterexample

One specific comprehension difficulty does not establish a general devaluation of a speaker group.

Distinction

Distinguish language ideology from lying, an isolated opinion and neutral structural description.

Effect on thought and perception

The concept reveals the social consequences of beliefs about language.

Resonance

A judgement about pronunciation can carry a judgement about people.

Provenance

Parallel corpus 98f0950771ae4662f291d2f15f5c51b6797f3c20ba458a68615cdb177002ea18; case-bounded source review accepted; human specialist review not claimed.

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Language ideology“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-NAV-G05-012. ATLAS 259, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G05-012

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G05-012

The address remains stable; editorial content may evolve. Editorial reading state: 2026-10-15. Include your access date for precise references.