Resumen de A top–down orthography change and language attitudes in the context of a language-loyal country

Cyprien Niyomugabo, Valentin Uwizeyimana

• Depending on different factors, aspects of human language such as orthography, lexicon, and pronunciation can change through bottom-up or top-down planning approaches. This article investigates Kinyarwanda language users’ attitudes towards Kinyarwanda orthography change, which was implemented on 13 October 2014 in Rwanda. It also discusses the effects of a top–down language policy approach on the speakers’ attitudes toward the change, and the impact which these language attitudes can have on the implementation of a language policy. By analysing the data collected through discourse analysis and interview methods, this study found that in the context of a language-loyal country, a top–down language policy has a negative impact on the language attitudes; and thus this study recommends the use of a natural bottom–up language policy in such a context.