> Theoretically rigorous and innovative - pushes forward theoretical understanding of concepts such as national identity and language policy/planning and the way in which they interrelate.

> The first chapters of the book address universal themes and issues in the study of national identities and language policy and planning. This makes the book accessible and interesting for sociolinguists, language policy and ethnicity/nationalism scholars in general, beyond a strictly South African context.

> Interdisciplinary, non-linguicentric, discussion of the South-African situation, including a chapter on the issue of Afrikaans.