Chinese Language And Culture In Indonesia, Singapore And Malaysia: A Historical Exploration, Status Quo And Future Prospect

Over the past few decades globalization has changed our world and in particular theregion of East Asia. China’s opening up has meant new realities for all countries and theirrelations with China. Many of the nations in Southeast Asia have a long history of contactwith China through their overseas Chinese populations. This paper will examine thesometimes turbulent relations between the Chinese and other peoples who populate Indonesia,Malaysia, and Singapore with specific focus upon the languages and State language planningand policies. The aim is to determine the linguistic atmosphere of each society and throughthis understanding examine the current conditions in which a growth of Mandarin andChinese culture may develop. As the appetite for Mandarin and things Chinese grows inSoutheast Asia it is important to know the strategic advantages Chinese has, as well as theobstacles the spread of Mandarin faces in this region. Although Malaysia, Singapore, andIndonesia are unique and independent nations they share a similar linguistic and cultural areathat is both large (almost300million people) and different from other parts of Southeast Asia.At times it is very sensitive to a perceived hegemony by the Chinese living there. Thissensitivity must be investigated and understood in order to make suggestions andrecommendations for the continued cultural and business engagement with these threefascinating nations. This thesis will examine the historical background of linguistic policy andpresently existing attitudes, and put forward considered recommendations to aid Chineseengagement with, and the spread of, Mandarin amongst the peoples of Indonesia, Malaysia,and Singapore.