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ID: 148655

Language policy and human development / Laitin, David D; Ramachandran, Rajesh

Laitin, David D	Journal Article
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Summary/Abstract

This article explores how language policy affects the socioeconomic development of nation states through two channels: the individual’s exposure to and (in reference to an individual’s mother tongue) linguistic distance from the official language. In a cross-country framework the article first establishes a robust and sizeable negative relationship between an official language that is distant from the local indigenous languages and proxies for human capital and health. To establish this relationship as causal, we instrument language choice with a measure of geographic distance from the origins of writing. Next, using individual level data from India and a set of 11 African countries, we provide microempirical support on the two channels—distance from and exposure to the official language—and their implications for educational, health, occupational and wealth outcomes. Finally, we suggest policy implications based on our findings.

Key Words

Human Development ; Language Policy

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ID: 053971

No bang for the buck / Dutta, Saikat; Ramachandran, Rajesh

Oct 18, 2004 Journal Article

Dutta, Saikat	Journal Article
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Oct 2004.

Key Words

DRDO ; Defence Research and Development Organization ; India ; Defence - India

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