National Languages and Language Planning
In sociolinguistics the distinction between a national language and an official language is generally made along the affective referential dimension, or more precisely the ideological instrumental dimension. A national language is the language of a political, cultural and social unit. It is generally developed and used as a symbol of national unity. Its functions are to identify the nation and unite the people of the nation. An official language, by contrast, it simply a language which may be used for government business. Its function is primarily utilitarian rather than symbolic. It is possible for one language to serve both functions.
Language planning is defined most simply as deliberate language change. Language planners generally focus on specific language problems. Their role is to develop a policy of language use which will solve the problems appropriately in particular speech communities.
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