Fighting Words: Language Policy and Ethnic Relations in AsiaMichael Edward Brown, Sumit Ganguly Language policy is a sensitive issue in most countries. In countries where more than one language is spoken -- the vast majority -- language policies affect the ability of individuals and groups to participate in government, to be treated fairly by governmental agencies, to have access to government services, to take advantage of educational opportunities, and to pursue economic success. Language policies also affect the prospects for survival of ethnic groups that define themselves on the basis of language. Assimilationist policies can threaten the existence of minority groups as distinct entities. Accommodationist policies might allow many ethnic groups to flourish but weaken national unity. In many countries, disputes over language policies have led to ethnic tensions and, in some cases, to violent ethnic conflicts. This book analyzes the impact of different kinds of language policies on ethnic relations in fifteen multiethnic countries in Asia and the Pacific. The analyses include discussion of the origins of different language policies and of how the policies have evolved over time. The book develops policy recommendations, both for individual countries and in more general terms. |
Contents
in India | 21 |
Chapter 3 | 81 |
Chapter 4 | 109 |
Chapter 5 | 177 |
Language Policy and Ethnic Relations in | 211 |
The Politics of Language Policies in Malaysia | 239 |
Language Policy and the Promotion of | 263 |
Harmonizing Linguistic Diversity in Papua | 291 |
Language Policy and Ethnic Relations in the | 319 |
The Evolution of Language Policies in China | 353 |
The Evolution of Language Policies and | 385 |
Language Policy and Ethnic Relations in Asia | 413 |
449 | |
Contributors | 463 |
About the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs 483 | |
Other editions - View all
Fighting Words: Language Policy and Ethnic Relations in Asia Michael Edward Brown,Steven E. Miller,Sean M. Lynn-Jones No preview available - 2003 |