Attitudes toward English in Malaysia

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Language attitudes form the basis for the acceptance and growth of language varieties within a society. In situations in which the standard norm of a language and its non‐native variety are used almost in tandem with one another, the users of these languages can provide insights into language trends. Perceptions and attitudes are indicators of the growth or decline of a variety of English. Teachers’ language attitudes are important because of their effects on their students’ attitudes toward language variation and on literacy. The researchers used a 16‐item Likert Scale questionnaire to investigate the perceptions and attitudes of 60 teachers and 439 students at the university level toward the use and acceptance of Malaysian English. The findings show that our respondents, Malaysian speakers of English, accept the functionality of Malaysian English but are, nevertheless, determined to learn Standard English because they regard Malaysian English as ‘wrong’ English. The results imply the need for further research into varieties of English: for example, the roles of both varieties of English must be investigated and defined. Societies which have adopted either the standard or non‐standard variety of English as its norm must be studied to determine the effects and consequences of the decision.