Fighting Words ― Language Policy and Ethnic Relations in Asia

Language policy is a sensitive issue in most countries. In countries where more thanone language is spoken -- the vast majority -- language policies affect the ability of individualsand groups to participate in government, to be treated fairly by governmental agencies, to haveaccess to government services, to take advantage of educational opportunities, and to pursueeconomic success.Language policies also affect the prospects for survival of ethnic groups thatdefine themselves on the basis of language. Assimilationist policies can threaten the existence ofminority groups as distinct entities. Accommodationist policies might allow many ethnic groups toflourish but weaken national unity. In many countries, disputes over language policies have led toethnic tensions and, in some cases, to violent ethnic conflicts.This book analyzes the impact ofdifferent kinds of language policies on ethnic relations in fifteen multiethnic countries in Asiaand the Pacific. The analyses include discussion of the origins of different language policies andof how the policies have evolved over time. The book develops policy recommendations, both forindividual countries and in more general terms.