Migration Language Policies: The Malaysian Experience

Abstract

This paper explores the language policy in Malaysia vis-a-vis its diversity preserves those expectation which indicates the national attitudes about how linguistic diversity should be handled. Malaysia as presently constituted is made up of 3 major ethnic groups - the dominant Malay, Chinese and Indians. The migration of Indians to Malaysia started in the second half of the 19th century, primarily as laborers who were brought by the British to work on plantations, roads, railway lines and ports. On their part the Chinese community has increased before political independence in Malaysia. However, Malay was adopted as the national language and medium of instruction in schools. Be that as it may, the Chinese and Indian communities were allowed by the government to run schools which medium of instruction is in Chinese and Tamil languages. From the foregoing, one thing is obvious. These immigrants who have adopted Malaysia as their country still see themselves as people from one culture. They speak their language and maintain their cultural heritage and traditions and ensure that their identities are preserved even as they try to integrate in their host country.