A designation by a country or state that grants a language a special legal status. This status can mean the language is used in government, education, and the courts. For instance, India recognizes Hindi and English as languages for official government business, even though many other languages are spoken throughout the country.
The act of adopting a language for governmental operations brings stability and structure. It facilitates communication, promotes national unity, and can preserve cultural identity. Historically, governments selected a dominant tongue to standardize administrative practices and assert authority over linguistically diverse populations, impacting language usage and cultural dissemination.
