LANGUAGE AS CAPITAL: A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK LINKING LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TO ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT AND EMPLOYABILITY

Abstract

Language skills have become more than just a means of communication; they are now a symbol of economic capital and have come to affect labour market outcomes and socioeconomic development in an increasingly globalised world. The existing empirical literature suggests a large link between language competence and occupational attainment. However, a theoretical framework able to explain the mechanisms of this linkage is still unexplored. The present study is designed to close this gap by proposing a conceptual framework, called the Language-Economy Linkage Model, that brings together the theories of human capital and the theories of language as capital from the sociolinguistic perspective. The author distinguishes systematically the specific areas of language competence, including communicative fluency, literacy and pragmatic awareness, and investigates how these aspects of language competence helped to relate to various institutional and labour market contexts. The proposed model builds on theories from labour economics, applied linguistics and migration studies and acknowledges factors that might mediate between the variables, including online literacy, confidence and cultural awareness, and factors that might moderate this relationship, including the demographic background and institutional policies of the students. The study suggests a dynamic concept of language resources where ‘language’ is viewed as more flexible and more adaptable in this global economy and questions oversimplified and monolingual belief. Last but not least, this study presents practical suggestions for researchers, policymakers and practitioners to take a context-sensitive and context relevant approach to implementing strategies that meet the needs of the present workforce. This study also underscores the importance of collaboration among various functions to develop inclusive policies that address inequalities in language education. Last but not least, the framework serves as a foundation for further empirical research and strategic planning and as a reminder that language education is a profound investment for the sustainable economic development and individual empowerment of society in an internationalised world.