Fighting Words: Language Policy and Ethnic Relations in Asia (BCSIA Studies in International Security) (Belfer Center Studies in International Security)

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. 0262025353 1 Contents 6 Preface 10 Introduction 14 Part I South Asia 32 Chapter 1 Language Policy and National Development in India 34 Chapter 2 The Politics of Language Policy in Pakistan 64 Chapter 3 Language, Identity, and the State in Bangladesh 94 Chapter 4 Ethnolinguistic Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict in Sri Lanka 118 Part II Southeast Asia 154 Chapter 5 Language Policy in Modern Burma 156 Chapter 6 The Politics of Language in Thailand and Laos 190 Chapter 7 Language Policy and Ethnic Relations in Vietnam 224 Chapter 8 The Politics of Language Policies in Malaysia and Singapore 252 Chapter 9 Language Policy and the Promotion of National Identity in Indonesia 276 Chapter 10 Harmonizing Linguistic Diversity in Papua New Guinea 304 Chapter 11 Language Policy and Ethnic Relations in the Philippines 332 Part III East Asia 364 Chapter 12 The Evolution of Language Policies in China 366 Chapter 13 The Evolution of Language Policies and National Identity in Taiwan 398 Part IV Conclusions 424 Chapter 14 Language Policy and Ethnic Relations in Asia 426 Suggestions for Further Reading 462 Contributors 476 Index 480 A 480 B 480 C 481 D 483 E 483 F 484 G 484 H 484 I 484 J 485 K 485 L 486 M 486 N 487 P 488 Q 490 R 490 S 490 T 491 U 491 V 492 W 493 X 493 Y 493 Z 493 About the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs 496 Language policy is a sensitive issue in most countries. In countries where more than one language is spoken--the vast majority of countries--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.

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 "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." -- BACK COVER

a Study Of The Impact Of Language Policies On Ethnic Relations In Fifteen Asian And Pacific Countries.