LANGUAGE AND NATIONALISM IN MALAYSIA: A LANGUAGE POLICY PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

A shared language is often used by nations as a crucial and critical element to mold its population as a nation to promote and uphold nationalism. Language is an important symbolic marker and index of individual and group identity. A common language in a nation is used as a tool to create a common identity. Upon independence, most young nation states adopt a standardized, official language to assist in nation-building, promote socio-economic equality amongst its populace and boost unification through the provision of equal and improved economic development. Malaysia, upon independence from the British rule in 1957, promoted the Malay language as the sole national language of Malaysia in order to create a common Malaysian identity for its diverse multi-ethnic and multi-lingual populace. This paper examines several language policies adopted by Malaysia since independence to the present time to highlight the journey of Malaysia as a young nation state in creating its identity and promoting nationalism amongst its citizens. Although there was an initial shift in functional range and importance towards the Malay language, English continued to function as an official language in administration, education, diplomacy and commerce for ten years after Malaysia’s independence. With the passing of the Malaysian Education Policy 1961 and the National Language Act 1967, the Malay language came to be the national and sole official language as well as the medium of instruction in mainstream primary, secondary and tertiary education. However in 2003, in response to the rise of globalization and modernization, saw a near-reversal of this national language policy with the re-introduction of English as a medium of instruction for the teaching of Science and Mathematics. This paper examines how language policies in different post-independence eras in Malaysia have been used to promote and nurture nationalism in Malaysia.