<div dir="ltr"><h1>
Language Expert Warns Against "Foreignization" Under Globalization
</h1>
<div class="">
</div>
<div class="">
<br>
<div class="">
</div>
</div>
<div class="" style="width:640px"><div class=""><a href="http://gdb.voanews.com/06161811-A5C1-4104-9250-C5E1C5219782_cx0_cy6_cw0_mw1024_s_n_r1.jpg" rel="ibox" title="Mr. Chan Virak, Ph.D student in Culture, Literacy, and Language on a Fellowship at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He joined a discussion on " for=""><img class="" alt="Mr. Chan Virak, Ph.D student in Culture, Literacy, and Language on a Fellowship at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He joined a discussion on " for="" src="http://gdb.voanews.com/06161811-A5C1-4104-9250-C5E1C5219782_w640_r1_s_cx0_cy6_cw0.jpg" border="0"></a></div><span class="">Mr.
Chan Virak, Ph.D student in Culture, Literacy, and Language on a
Fellowship at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He joined a
discussion on "Language Policy for Cambodia’s Higher Education" on VOA
Khmer's New Voices (Hello VOA) radio call-in show, Monday, June 15,
2015. (Courtesey of Chan Virak) </span></div>
<div id="mainMediaBig">
</div>
<div class="">
<div id="mainMediaSmall">
</div>
<div class="">
<div class="">
<div class="">
<h3 class="">
Related Articles
</h3>
<div class="">
<ul class=""><li><a class="" href="http://www.voacambodia.com/content/in-cambodia-english-classes-more-popular-than-chinese/2813451.html">In Cambodia, English Classes More Popular Than Chinese</a></li><li><a class="" href="http://www.voacambodia.com/content/career-fair-aims-to-help-students-choose-fruitful-job-paths/2739345.html">Career Fair Aims To Help Students Choose Fruitful Job Paths</a></li><li><a class="" href="http://www.voacambodia.com/content/teacher-prize-nominee-a-pioneer-in-curriculum-for-blind-deaf/2683594.html">Teacher Prize Nominee a ‘Pioneer’ in Curriculum for Blind, Deaf</a></li><li><a class="" href="http://www.voacambodia.com/content/cambodian-circus-gives-hope-to-starving-artists/2779800.html"><span title="Video" class=""><img src="http://www.voacambodia.com/img/assignedIcons/icon-blank.gif?v=__7.0.1.0.9" alt="Video" border="0" align="top"> </span><span class="">Cambodian Circus Gives Hope to Starving Artists </span></a></li></ul>
</div> </div> </div>
<div class="">
</div>
<div class="">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="">
<div class="">
<div class=""><a href="http://www.voacambodia.com/author/22671.html" class="">Sophat Soeung</a>, <span class="">VOA Khmer</span></div>
<p class="">
25 June 2015
</p>
</div>
<div id="ctl00_ctl00_cpAB_cp1_cbcContentBreak">
<div class="">
<span class="">WASHINGTON—</span> <p class="">As
Cambodia seeks greater integration with regional and global economies, a
language expert warns against overreliance on foreign identity and
language.</p>
<p class="">Chan Virak, a doctorate student in culture,
literacy and language at the University of Texas at San Antonio, says
Cambodia should invest in its own language, by developing higher
education curriculum, in order to preserve its identity.</p>
<p class="">The danger, he says, is that by investing too
heavily in other languages (and cultures), such as English, native Khmer
will be undermined.</p>
<p class="">“To me, learning many languages is not a problem, but the problem is when we [overvalue] them,” he said in a recent <a href="http://m.khmer.voanews.com/a/2822662.html" target="_blank">interview on "New Voices"</a>. “Normally, when we learn a new language, we are also influenced by its cultural and economic forces.”</p>
<p class="">Cambodia’s working language has been influenced
by outside forces since its colonization by the French. Aside from its
native Khmer, the country has seen major influence from French, English,
Vietnamese and Russian. Much of its post civil war development centered
around English, and these days more and more people are learning
Chinese, as investment comes from that country.</p>
<p class="">Khmer remains the language of instruction for
many higher education programs, but Chan Virak said an increasing number
are using English or Chinese. Without a careful policy, there is a
danger of “foreignization” of Cambodian values.</p>
<p class="">“Cambodians who study English not only learn the
language, but at the same time start to value the socio-economic status
of English-speaking countries,” he said.</p>
<p class="">This kind of cultural pressure will only increase
as Cambodia seeks greater integration with the economies of Asean and
the world, he said.</p>
<p class="">These days, universities are considering the job
market and student preferences when they decide on a language of
instruction. Some are locally oriented, using Khmer. Others are
internationally focused and taught in English.</p>
<p class="">VOA Khmer <a href="https://www.facebook.com/voakhmer/photos/p.10153102454793800/10153102454793800" target="_blank">asked its Facebook users</a>
whether they would like to see bilingual policies at universities. Many
echoed Chan Virak’s concerns, saying an increase in the use of English
could erode the value of Khmer language.</p>
<p class="">English could be used as a second language, user
Sokha Smos Sne said. “But some schools use foreign language as the main
language, thus devaluing and endangering the use of Khmer itself.”</p>
<p class="">Facebook user Heng Rithy questioned the role of
English in Cambodia’s development, pointing to Japan’s lack of English
proficiency relative to its development.</p>
<p class="">Chan Virak agreed, saying that Japan can be a
model for Cambodia. Students need to prioritize the languages that help
them get good jobs after graduation. He encouraged them to attend <a href="http://www.voacambodia.com/content/career-fair-aims-to-help-students-choose-fruitful-job-paths/2739345.html" target="_blank">job fairs</a> to understand the job market before making a decision.</p>
<p class="">But he also said a choice of language should not
come at the cost of Cambodia’s own language and culture. He suggested
Singapore as a good model in the region, where English is the
professional language but where Chinese, Malay and Tamil are all are
part of the national fabric.</p>
<p class=""><strong><var><em>As part of the New Voices radio
show's requirement for guests to suggest a good reading material for
audience, Chan Virak suggested <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Golden-Bones-Sichan-Siv-ebook/dp/B0017SYMC6/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">“Golden Bones”</a> by Cambodian-American Sichan Siv. For success tips he suggests young Cambodians to identifying clear life goals and passions.</em></var></strong></p>
</div>
</div>
<a href="http://www.voacambodia.com/content/language-expert-warns-against-loss-of-identity-under-globalization/2834297.html">http://www.voacambodia.com/content/language-expert-warns-against-loss-of-identity-under-globalization/2834297.html</a><br></div><br clear="all"><br>-- <br><div class="gmail_signature">**************************************<br>N.b.: Listing on the lgpolicy-list is merely intended as a service to its members<br>and implies neither approval, confirmation nor agreement by the owner or sponsor of the list as to the veracity of a message's contents. Members who disagree with a message are encouraged to post a rebuttal, and to write directly to the original sender of any offensive message. A copy of this may be forwarded to this list as well. (H. Schiffman, Moderator)<br><br>For more information about the lgpolicy-list, go to <a href="https://groups.sas.upenn.edu/mailman/" target="_blank">https://groups.sas.upenn.edu/mailman/</a><br>listinfo/lgpolicy-list<br>*******************************************</div>
</div>