Internacionalização e multilinguismo: uma proposta de política linguística para as universidades federais

Abstract

The objective of this study is to present a proposal of institutional language policy (LP) to support the process of internationalization in federal universities, considering multilingual aspects. Due to the roles of languages for internationalization, the proposal of multilingual LP shown here was a response to the research question: how a LP proposal, with a multilingual perspective, can support the internationalization process at Brazilian federal universities? The methodology used here included qualitative and quantitative aspects, using mixed methods and procedures of bibliographic and documental research, content analysis and data collection tools such as questionnaires, with the collection of data from 42 Brazilian federal universities. Design-based research was used to build a proposal of institutional LP to support the internationalization process at federal universities, with a multilingual perspective. The motivation for this research is based on the mismatch between internationalization and language policies, considering the incipient process of internationalization at Brazilian federal universities, which according to some authors (e.g.: PROLO; VIEIRA, 2017; LIMA; MARANHÃO, 2009) is reactive and passive. Another issue that motivated this study is the lack of multilingual language policies to match internationalization policies. The theoretical framework included concepts of cultural and linguistic capital (Bourdieu), globalization and multilingualism (Blommaert) and superdiversity (Vertovec). Results indicate that not all Brazilian federal universities have a formal LP, and when it exists, it is usually not connected to institutional plans for internationalization. In addition, data analysis showed: LP texts can vary in length and configuration, and they are written mainly to respond to government decisions; a few languages have been favored in internationalization (mainly English and Portuguese as a foreign language), especially as languages of instruction and research; evidence of passive internationalization and lack of participation of various agents in the planning and implementation of LP. In the proposal shown here, the use of languages was considered in six dimensions: languages of admission; language teaching; languages of instruction; languages of research; languages of administration; languages for external communication. In addition, the proposal includes aspects such as: beliefs and practices; legal aspects and agents; goals and expected effects; uses and users; form and function; selection and implementation. Therefore, the LP proposal developed here represents a relevant contribution for the revision and/or creation of institutional language policies in the context of Brazilian federal universities.