An official language is a language that is given a special legal status in a particular country, state, or other jurisdiction. Typically a nation's official language will be the one used in that nation's courts, parliament and administration. Although most of the countries have one official language, a country may have more than one official language for historical, political and linguistic reasons. For example, in India there are 22 official languages; each state and union territory adopts one or more official languages.
A national language, however, should not to be confused with an official language. These terms are entirely separate concepts as they are theoretically different. The basic difference between a national and an official language are appended bellow:
National Language
|
Official Language
|
| Defines the people of the nation, culture, history. | Defines the existence of legislation and sovereignty of the nation. |
| A national language by default can become the Official language. | An Official language has to be approved legally to become the National language. |
| Used for general communication. | Used for official communication. |
| Is a socio-cultural manifestation. | Is a politico-geographical manifestation. |
| Has nationalism as the core function. | Has nationism as the core function. |
| Its function is primarily symbolic. | Its function is primarily utilitarian. |
Tags :
applied linguistics
national and official language in sociolinguistics
national language vs official language
what is national language and official language
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