Language Policy And Nation-Building

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Summary: 
Of the four official languages, Malay is designated the national language, reflection both the historical and national position of the island-state. English, as the non-ethnic and thus neutral official language, has over the years evolved to become the dominant working language in Singapore. It is the only language taught in all schools at all levels.The general language policy of Singapore can best be described as multi-lingualism, which prescribes that all four official languages should be treated as equal.The danger is that too much emphasis on English may lead to the "detrimental effects of deculturalization," of producing "anaemic, uprooted floating citizens without the social cohesiveness and the cultural impetus that give the people the drive and the will to succeed as a group"Confronted with the dilemma, Singapore's answer to the problem is the provision of bilingual education. Traditional values are retained through the continued use of ethnic language. 

Reflection:

To prevent Singapore from getting into inter-racial chaos again, the government has taken up several measures, one of which is the language policies. The general language policy of Singapore can best be described as multi-lingualism, which prescribes that all four official languages should be treated as equal. Confronted with the dilemma, Singapore's answer to the problem is the provision of bilingual education. With the students needing study both English and another ethnic language, (usually their own ethnic’s language) the government probably hopes to bond Singapore through a common language, which is English, and to retain Traditional values at the same time, through the continued use of ethnic language.Even though Malay, of the four languages, is designated the national language, reflecting both the historical and national position of the island-state, it seems like it almost exclusively symbolic at the official level. Malay is used in the National Anthem and military commands. However, Malay is not taught as a compulsory subject in school for the non-Malays, and a person need not pass a national language test to become a naturalized citizen of Singapore, even though it is Singapore’s national language. This has caused some discussion online and I personally feel that Malay being almost exclusively symbolic at an official level is inevitable as the use of English language is extensive around the world. So as to keep up with the world’s standards, individuals in Singapore would naturally want to takeup English as their first language.

Overall, Singapore’s use of English as the country’s common language is a good tool to bond the nation as the country strives together to level our English standards with the world’s and achieve a better Singapore.