A Study Of Language Policy In Singapore From The Perspective Of Multiculturism

Language policy research, as a scope in sociolinguistic study, mainly deals with the language problems. Various countries and regions make language policy to manage language. Singapore, as a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-cultural country, has developed and implemented some reasonable and effective language polices and made remarkable achievements, which have always aroused a lot of interest among linguists. The scholars both at home and abroad have explored Singaporean language policy mainly from the social-ethnic and educational points of view.Multicultural coexistence is a common phenomenon in many countries and regions at present. Singapore is a typically multi-cultural country. Multiculturalism is a policy in multi-cultural countries and regions and an important thought in contemporary Western countries: to show concern for culture diversity, to advocate respect for differences, to pursue cultural equality and coexistence, and to build a harmonious society. Multiculturalism emphasizes equal treatment of all languages and protection of endangered languages. This thesis intends to conduct a research about language policy in Singapore from the perspective of multiculturalism, including analysis of language policy measures, the status of the four official languages, and the nature of language policy.Singapore is a multicultural country, which is composed of the Chinese, Malays, Indians and people from some other minor ethnic groups, and each ethnic group has its own language. Thus, there are four official languages: English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil. Language policy is a sensitive political issue in multi-racial and multi-lingual Singapore. The Singapore Government has introduced multiculturalism since independence, that is, the implementation of the equality policy---respect for the various ethnic groups and cultural diversity. Singapore has developed and implemented a series of language policies based on multiculturalism: to establish the national language and official languages, to implement the pragmatic societal multilingualism and the individual English–knowing bilingualism, to launch the Speaking Mandarin Campaign and Speaking Good English Movement and so forth. Each of the four official languages has its own role in multiculturism. The nature of Singapore's language policy is that the Government has adjusted the language policy constantly in accordance with the national conditions based on multiculturalism. Multiculture and multiculturism in Singapore decide the direction of language policy in Singapore; in turn, the language policy in Singapore reflects and promotes the multiculture and multiculturism in Singapore. The implementation of language policy has solved ethnic conflicts and contradictions due to language problems, has retained cultural traditions and moral values, has enhanced national cohesion and has increased the country's international competitiveness. The study of Singaporean language policy from the perspective of multiculturalism helps to understand the relationship between language policy in Singapore and multiculture as well as multuculturism, and its experience in language policy may provide some references to the multi-cultural countries and areas.