Language Planning Situations in Sri Lanka and Singapore: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Language planning can be defined as a deliberate attempt to change the linguistics behaviour of a speech community for a particular reason. It is often associated with the government planning. It can be initiated to push a certain language towards a stipulated goal. The recognition of two or more official languages can largely be attributed to a scenario stemming out of a socio-political dilemma. Therefore, decisions on language policy and planning are made around the globe every day to create the much needed harmony within their countries. Especially, in multilingual countries, it is becoming more and more essential to have a well-planned language policy. To date, around 200 countries in the world recognise two or more official languages. This study focuses on the language policy in Sri Lanka and Singapore with particulars emphasis on the historical, political and social changes in language policy decisions and the present situation of their language policies as multi-lingual countries in the Asian region. After a general account of the language profile of Sri Lanka and Singapore, this research examines the status planning in both countries since they became independent countries. Finally, it discusses some important recent developments in language planning in both countries and how they constructed the ethnic harmony through language planning and is their language planning, a success or a failure. As the methodology both primary and secondary data were collected by referring official documents, constitution of both countries and other subject related sources. This study demonstrates the linguistic, political and ethnic characters of language planning in two multi-lingual countries.