The diversity of Asia-Pacific language ecologies
-
Craig Alan Volker
Abstract
The Asia-Pacific region is culturally and linguistically extremely diverse. Many languages are spoken by indigenous or immigrant communities with little political power and some are in danger of becoming extinct in the near future. Government policies regarding the use of the languages of these communities of lesser power vary greatly, with an overall trend towards homogenisation and a strengthening of the nation-state and its language. Choices made about the place of languages of lesser power in education have a profound effect on the self-image and identity of the speakers of those languages. Failing to include them threatens the richness of the cultural diversity of the region.
Abstract
The Asia-Pacific region is culturally and linguistically extremely diverse. Many languages are spoken by indigenous or immigrant communities with little political power and some are in danger of becoming extinct in the near future. Government policies regarding the use of the languages of these communities of lesser power vary greatly, with an overall trend towards homogenisation and a strengthening of the nation-state and its language. Choices made about the place of languages of lesser power in education have a profound effect on the self-image and identity of the speakers of those languages. Failing to include them threatens the richness of the cultural diversity of the region.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Dedication v
- Table of contents vii
- Preface xi
- Foreword xiii
-
Introduction
- The diversity of Asia-Pacific language ecologies 1
- Education, power and sociolinguistic mobility 13
-
East Asia
- A Yami language teacher’s journey in Taiwan 33
- Power and other issues in minority language education in China 49
- Forming a Korean identity in Japan 65
-
Southeast Asia
- Patani Malay in Thai education 91
- Language in schooling in Timor-Leste 111
- Bidayuh as a subject at pre-school and primary levels 131
- Sustaining and maintaining a minority language 153
-
Oceania
- UNESCO’s action in culture and the importance of language maintenance in the Pacific 175
- State versus community approaches to language revival 185
- Vernacular education in Papua New Guinea 205
- From despised jargon to language of education 223
- Te Reo Māori – He Reo Kura? (Māori Language – A School Language?) 243
- A study of bilingual education using Samoan language in New Zealand 261
- Index 293
- Authors 289
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Dedication v
- Table of contents vii
- Preface xi
- Foreword xiii
-
Introduction
- The diversity of Asia-Pacific language ecologies 1
- Education, power and sociolinguistic mobility 13
-
East Asia
- A Yami language teacher’s journey in Taiwan 33
- Power and other issues in minority language education in China 49
- Forming a Korean identity in Japan 65
-
Southeast Asia
- Patani Malay in Thai education 91
- Language in schooling in Timor-Leste 111
- Bidayuh as a subject at pre-school and primary levels 131
- Sustaining and maintaining a minority language 153
-
Oceania
- UNESCO’s action in culture and the importance of language maintenance in the Pacific 175
- State versus community approaches to language revival 185
- Vernacular education in Papua New Guinea 205
- From despised jargon to language of education 223
- Te Reo Māori – He Reo Kura? (Māori Language – A School Language?) 243
- A study of bilingual education using Samoan language in New Zealand 261
- Index 293
- Authors 289
