Dominant Language
The Dominant Language refers to the primary language used in a multilingual society or by a bilingual individual. It is typically the language that is most widely spoken, has the most social prestige, or is used in official contexts such as government, education, and media.
Key aspects of Dominant Language include:
Social power: Often associated with economic and political advantages.
Education: Usually the primary language of instruction in schools.
Media representation: Predominantly used in mass media and entertainment.
Language policy: Often given official status by governments.
Individual proficiency: For bilinguals, the language they are most comfortable using.
The concept of Dominant Language is important in sociolinguistics, language education, and language policy. It can have significant implications for minority language speakers, including issues of cultural identity and access to resources.