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This chapter addresses the question of the specific epistemic role of language planning within language policy and planning (LPP) and in the larger field of applied linguistics. Drawing from the traditional distinction between internal and external linguistics, the core of language planning is found in the internal dimension of LPP. The empirical insights obtained by language planning permit avoiding the tragedy of inductivism on one side and the taxonomic fury on the other. In other words, when properly considering empirical data from language planning, the design of the corresponding language policies comes along solid lines so that no gross errors are found. The chapter illustrates the method of levels of abstraction, adapted from the Philosophy of Information, to guide the analysis of case studies, which is exemplified by the case study of Esperanto and Hebrew in comparison, focusing on the epistemological standpoints. The illustrated method shows the importance of inspecting the levels of abstraction, to be done independently from considerations of status, management, or policy.

This introductory chapter reviews the historical development of the field of Language Policy and Planning (LPP), outlines the structure of the book, and introduces conceptual concerns and challenges that circulate throughout the chapters. The authors review the foundations of the field in classic language planning theory and examine the evolution of disciplinarily and interdisciplinary approaches. Chapters in the book examine (socio)linguistic foundations, critical empirical research, the public policy approach, modern corpus planning, LPP and technology, and language revitalisation.

This chapter concludes the book by pointing out five issues that deserve more attention. The first issue is the necessity of researchers leveraging the epistemological and theoretical diversity within the field. The second issue is the study of the conditions under which LPP is effectively able to influence language change, and the context in which such change occurs. The authors argue that more attention should be paid to the effects of the increasing role of the public sector in contemporary societies. The third issue calls for researchers in the field of LPP to be clear in their epistemological and methodological standpoints. The fourth issue is the recent massive use of information technologies for language-based applications, whose current proportions we are just beginning to estimate. A final issue is the difference between scholarship in and about LPP and actual, real-world LPP writing and implementation. A general question remains open: the identification of the epistemological limits of the field of LPP.