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Uncovering language policy in the internationalization of Greek universities

A policy cycle perspective

 | Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
ORCiD logo with link | Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Published online: 18 August 2026
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/lplp.25062.mat
Abstract
This paper demonstrates how a theoretical framework from political science can be applied to reveal gaps in language policy, even when linguistic issues remain obscured within broader reforms. Specifically, it applies the standard five-stage policy cycle from public policy studies, as adapted to language policy and planning, to examine the internationalization of Greek universities. Drawing on official texts and political discourse, the findings illuminate how university internationalization proceeds under growing pressure toward English dominance, without a coherent language policy or consideration for cultural and linguistic justice. In doing so, the study advances the understanding of language policy as a domain of public policy and foregrounds the policy cycle as a revelatory framework with strong explanatory power.
Περίληψη
Αποκαλύπτοντας τη γλωσσική πολιτική στη διεθνοποίηση των ελληνικών πανεπιστημίων: Μια προσέγγιση μέσω του κύκλου πολιτικής
Το άρθρο αυτό δείχνει πώς ένα θεωρητικό πλαίσιο από την πολιτική επιστήμη μπορεί να εφαρμοστεί για να αποκαλύψει κενά στη γλωσσική πολιτική, ακόμη και όταν τα γλωσσικά ζητήματα παραμένουν συγκαλυμμένα μέσα σε ευρύτερες μεταρρυθμίσεις. Συγκεκριμένα, εφαρμόζει τον τυπικό πεντασταδιακό κύκλο πολιτικής από τις σπουδές δημόσιας πολιτικής, όπως έχει προσαρμοστεί στον τομέα της γλωσσικής πολιτικής και του γλωσσικού σχεδιασμού, προκειμένου να εξετάσει τη διεθνοποίηση των ελληνικών πανεπιστημίων. Αντλώντας από επίσημα κείμενα και τον πολιτικό λόγο, τα ευρήματα αναδεικνύουν ότι η διεθνοποίηση των πανεπιστημίων προχωρά υπό αυξανόμενη πίεση προς την κυριαρχία της αγγλικής γλώσσας, χωρίς συνεκτική γλωσσική πολιτική ή πρόνοια για την πολιτισμική και γλωσσική δικαιοσύνη. Με τον τρόπο αυτό, η μελέτη προάγει την κατανόηση της γλωσσικής πολιτικής ως πεδίου της δημόσιας πολιτικής και αναδεικνύει τον κύκλο πολιτικής ως ένα ερμηνευτικό πλαίσιο με ισχυρή επεξηγηματική δύναμη.
Resumo
Malkovri lingvopolitikon en la internaciigo de grekaj universitatoj: Politik-cikla perspektivo
Tiu ĉi artikolo montras, kiel teoria kadro el la politika scienco povas esti aplikata por malkovri mankojn en lingvopolitiko, eĉ kiam lingvaj demandoj restas obskurigitaj ene de pli ampleksaj reformoj. Specife, ĝi aplikas la norman kvin-fazan politikan ciklon el la studoj pri publika politiko, adaptitan al lingvopolitiko kaj lingvoplanado, por ekzameni la internaciigon de grekaj universitatoj. Surbaze de oficialaj tekstoj kaj politika diskurso, la rezultoj lumigas, kiel la universitata internaciigo progresas sub kreskanta premo de la hegemonio de la angla lingvo, sen kohera lingvopolitiko aŭ konsidero pri kultura kaj lingva justeco. Tiumaniere, la studo progresigas la komprenon pri lingvopolitiko kiel fako de publika politiko kaj reliefigas la politikan ciklon kiel malkaŝan kadron kun fortika klarigpovo.
Article outline
  • Introduction
  • The policy cycle
  • Legislative framework regarding internationalization of Greek universities
  • Interpreting internationalization of Greek universities through a policy cycle perspective
    • Stage 1 — The emergence of language-related issues
    • Stage 2 — Agenda-setting
    • Stage 3 — Policy formulation and adoption
    • Stage 4 — Implementation
    • Stage 5 — Evaluation
  • Discussion
  • References
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