Functional differentiation: a critique of the bilingual policy in Singapore

Abstract

This article critically explores the ideology of functional differentiation of languages that underpins the bilingual policy in Singapore. This ideology values English for its economic function and the indigenous languages for their role in cultural transmission. In the first part of this article, we critique the ideology of functional differentiation by discussing two main challenges that arise from the bilingual policy in Singapore. In the second part of this article, we explain how the ideology of functional differentiation is linked to the multicultural policy adopted by the government. We argue that this multicultural approach emphasizes surface culture and is inadequate in enabling the chosen ‘mother tongue languages’ to serve as cultural and identity markers for the students. The Singapore case study contributes towards the international literature on the underlying ideology, contemporary issues and perennial challenges surrounding language policy in multicultural societies.