30.1860, Diss: Chinese, Mandarin; Sociolinguistics : Teresa Wai See Ong ''Language Maintenance in Malaysia. A Case Study of the Chinese Community in Penang''

[The LINGUIST List]

LINGUIST List: Vol-30-1860. Thu May 02 2019. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 30.1860, Diss: Chinese, Mandarin; Sociolinguistics : Teresa Wai See Ong ''Language Maintenance in Malaysia. A Case Study of the Chinese Community in Penang''

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Date: Thu, 02 May 2019 18:47:30
From: Teresa Ong [ongtesa at gmail.com]
Subject: Language Maintenance in Malaysia. A Case Study of the Chinese Community in Penang

 
Institution: Griffith University 
Program: School of Languages and Linguistics 
Dissertation Status: Completed 
Degree Date: 2018 

Author: Teresa Wai See Ong

Dissertation Title: Language Maintenance in Malaysia. A Case Study of the
Chinese Community in Penang 

Linguistic Field(s): Sociolinguistics

Subject Language(s): Chinese, Mandarin (cmn)


Dissertation Director(s):
Dr Kerry Taylor-Leech
Prof Sue Trevaskes

Dissertation Abstract:

Language use is connected to the sociocultural identity of an ethnic group. In
Malaysia, the Chinese are the second largest ethnic group, speaking a wide
range of Chinese language varieties. A combination of social, cultural, and
political influences has led to the widespread shift from Chinese community
languages to Mandarin Chinese. This situation raises questions about the role,
status, and survival of these community languages in Malaysia. 

This study explores the relationship between national language policy and the
ecology of Chinese community languages in Penang. It finds that participants
are keen to maintain their community languages and use them in everyday life.
Many in the community acknowledge their social and cultural value and thus,
various organisations have made efforts to support their maintenance. 

The findings indicate that there is a discrepancy between language users’
perceptions of the role and status of Chinese community languages and the
reality of today’s language situation in Penang. Ultimately, unless there is
an across-the-board effort made by all the various organisations in Penang and
the government, any future efforts to maintain Chinese community languages
will fail. Therefore, this study concludes that in advocating for the survival
of these languages, there is a need to move towards a comprehensive approach
that includes participation from all levels of society.




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