Fighting words : language policy and ethnic relations in Asia / editors, Michael E. Brown, Šumit Ganguly.

Project sponsored by the BCSIA Studies in International Security in cooperation with the Center for Peace and Security Studies, and the Pacific Basin Research Center.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 449-461) and index.

Print version record.

Machine generated contents note: Introduction / Michael E. Brown / Sumit Ganguly -- Ch. 1 Language Policy and National Development in India / Jyotirindra Dasgupta -- Ch. 2 Politics of Language Policy in Pakistan / Alyssa Ayres -- Ch. 3 Language, Identity, and the State in Bangladesh / Amena Mohsin -- Ch. 4 Ethnolinguistic Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict in Sri Lanka / Neil DeVotta -- Ch. 5 Language Policy in Modern Burma / Mary P. Callahan -- Ch. 6 Politics of Language in Thailand and Laos / Charles F. Keyes -- Ch. 7 Language Policy and Ethnic Relations in Vietnam / Thaveeporn Vasavakul -- Ch. 8 Politics of Language Policies in Malaysia and Singapore / Sumit Ganguly -- Ch. 9 Language Policy and the Promotion of National Identity in Indonesia / Jacques Bertrand -- Ch. 10 Harmonizing Linguistic Diversity in Papua New Guinea / R.J. May -- Ch. 11 Language Policy and Ethnic Relations in the Philippines / Caroline S. Hau / Victoria L. Tinio -- Ch. 12 Evolution of Language Policies in China / June Teufel Dreyer -- Ch. 13 Evolution of Language Policies and National Identity in Taiwan / June Teufel Dreyer -- Ch. 14 Language Policy and Ethnic Relations in Asia / Michael E. Brown.

Language policy is a sensitive issue in most countries. In countries where more than one language is spoken--the vast majority--language policies affect the ability of individuals and groups to participate in government, to be treated fairly by governmental agencies, to have access to government services, to take advantage of educational opportunities, and to pursue economic success.Language policies also affect the prospects for survival of ethnic groups that define themselves on the basis of language. Assimilationist policies can threaten the existence of minority groups as distinct entities. Accommodationist policies might allow many ethnic groups to flourish but weaken national unity. In many countries, disputes over language policies have led to ethnic tensions and, in some cases, to violent ethnic conflicts.This book analyzes the impact of different kinds of language policies on ethnic relations in fifteen multiethnic countries in Asia and the Pacific. The analyses include discussion of the origins of different language policies and of how the policies have evolved over time. The book develops policy recommendations, both for individual countries and in more general terms.

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