Junior Research Symposia
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Item Language Planning Situations in Sri Lanka and Singapore: A Comparative Study(Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Kamali, R.D.Language planning can be defined as a deliberate attempt to change the linguistics behaviour of a speech community for a particular reason. It is often associated with the government planning. It can be initiated to push a certain language towards a stipulated goal. The recognition of two or more official languages can largely be attributed to a scenario stemming out of a socio-political dilemma. Therefore, decisions on language policy and planning are made around the globe every day to create the much needed harmony within their countries. Especially, in multilingual countries, it is becoming more and more essential to have a well-planned language policy. To date, around 200 countries in the world recognise two or more official languages. This study focuses on the language policy in Sri Lanka and Singapore with particulars emphasis on the historical, political and social changes in language policy decisions and the present situation of their language policies as multi-lingual countries in the Asian region. After a general account of the language profile of Sri Lanka and Singapore, this research examines the status planning in both countries since they became independent countries. Finally, it discusses some important recent developments in language planning in both countries and how they constructed the ethnic harmony through language planning and is their language planning, a success or a failure. As the methodology both primary and secondary data were collected by referring official documents, constitution of both countries and other subject related sources. This study demonstrates the linguistic, political and ethnic characters of language planning in two multi-lingual countries.Item Language policy in Singapore(Faculty of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, 2015) Kamali, R.D.; Hettihewa, A.S.; Senarathna, I.R.Language is not merely a tool for human communication where it also plays an important role in the development of social identity. Therefore it is important to have a wellplanned language policy in a country and it is becoming more and more essential in an increasingly multilingual society. As a multinational country Singapore has a diverse population and it includes Chinese, Malays, Indians, Eurasians, Caucasians and Asians of different origins. As a result of that Singapore has become a multilingual nation. However, the Singapore government recognises four official langauges: English, Malay, Chinese, Tamil. Their decison to adopt English, Mandarian, Malay and Tamil as their official languages came early in their nationhood. And also Bilingualism is a fundamental aspect of their education system while English is the medium of instruction in schools, students are required to learn their mother tongues aswell. This has ensured that they are able to engage fellow singaporeans of different races, access the global economy and at the same time remain connected to their cultural roots. This study attempts to describe how the language is being planned by the Singapore government and the present condition of their language policy. Data for the research are collected by using official documents of Singapore Government, newspaper articles and from recordings of informal conversations with a group of native speakers. These informal conversations are used to identify the bilingual habits of Singapore citizens. What we learned from the study is that in Singapore all four official languages were accorded parity of recognition, a clear message that all Singaporeans are equal partners in a single nation, regardless of race or language.