Scenarios of language politics

Abstract. The article is an analysis of the important issue related to scenarios of language politics. It is discussed in the article with regard to historical experience of Lithuania. Occupation by czarist Russia, as well as the Bismarck era and Stalin period manifest that language politics is a constituent part of geopolitics. By destruction of the native language, some nations force their will on others, thus limiting the victims' love for the native land and self-respect. The ongoing process of globalisation has several language politics scenarios. The author discusses and compares them in the article. The key thesis of the article states that one must be precautious, critical and self-critical in order to preserve the spirit and beauty of the native tongue, as well as its inestimable value. Keywords: language, multilingualism, occupation, native land, personality development, culture. Conclusions 1. Language politics scenarios are a constituent part of occupant country geopolitics; meanwhile, cultural reforms imposed by occupants inevitably destroy foundations of the native language. The history of the Lithuanian language is merely a live illustration of such an attitude. 2. Contemporary scenarios of language politics are diverse. The dominant and widespread European languages are not necessarily related to geopolitical goals. Positive aspects and challenges of globalisation have a direct impact on language politics scenarios. Some of them elevate and exalt English-language-speaking along with artificial and technological languages (e.g. Microsoft, the Internet, etc.). Others are aiming at defending the idea and practice of European Union multilingualism (which is rather vulnerable yet). Still some others think that the Esperanto language has a future, although it will never be able to convey the subtle idioms of a particular live language, even being possible to be widely used as a means of human communication and connection. [...]Vytauto Didžiojo universitetasŠvietimo akademij