A Multi-facet Analysis Of Language Policies And Planning Evolution In Sri Lanka

The "One Belt,One Road" strategy is an established policy of China's further opening up,and Sri Lanka plays an important role in the “Maritime Silk Road”.In recent years,Sri Lanka has established a number of Cooperation and Communication projects with our country,further consolidating and developing the communication between two countries.Sri Lanka experienced nearly 450 years of Western colonization in modern times.It is deeply influenced by the Western host countries in society,politics,language and other aspects.Sri Lanka's language problems have become more complex by the civil war between the Sinhalese and Tamil communities which were triggered by the contention of official language status after Sri Lanka achieved national independence.Sri Lanka,as a developing country in South Asia,is a typical case of the evolution of language policy and planning from the colonial society to the national political independent environment.Researching on the evolution of Sri Lankan language policies and planning from colonial society to national independence and analyzing the influential factors can enrich the country case study of language policy and planning.This thesis focuses on Sri Lanka,which is located in the South Asia.Using documentary research method and qualitative and quantitative methodologies and using political,socio-economic and ethnic group factors that the related theories of language policy and planning involves as reference analyzes the evolution course of language policy and planning in Sri Lanka.This study attempts to answer the following 4questions:(1).What is the course of evolution in Sri Lanka language policy and planning?(2).What are the major influential political factors in Sri Lanka language policy and planning?(3).What are the major influential socio-economic factors in Sri Lanka language policy and planning?(4).What are the major influential ethnic factors in Sri Lanka language policy and planning?By careful analysis and research of Sri Lanka's language policy and planning,the author finds that the evolution course of language policy and planning in Sri Lanka is rather complex.In general,it can be divided into the 3 phases: from the colonial time to independence then to the globalization and it presents curve development.After the independence of Sri Lanka,a series of decolonization activities and nationalist parties largely affect Sri Lankan language policy and planning.With the arrival of globalization and the developing trade cooperation relationship with Western countries especially the United States,Sri Lankan foreign language policies especially policies related to English has changed.Such move also cause approval and opposition at home.The multiethnic,multilingual,multi-religious phenomenon in Sri Lanka and the incompatibility of Sinhalese and Tamil communities,the lack of mutual understanding and mutual trust between ethnic groups lead to the complexity and changes of Sri Lankan language policy and planning.In short,Sri Lanka's language policy and planning have undergone complex processes,but still has achieved certain success.While promoting the native languages,the country also guarantees the position of English as link language.Multilingualism system will also be a symbol of Sri Lanka's culture.