One state, many languages: language and the construction of the 'nation' in Malaysia

Abstract

The construction of a nation-state, especially, for one that has experienced colonialism, is always a complicated process, partly due to historical factors which usually shaped the formation of the nation- state and partly due to the post-independent developments. The transition from being a colony to an independent nation-state involves a complex of events, circumstances, and activities, some planned and some unexpected, involving and implicating individuals and groups of people. Nationalist movements emerged from such a situation. There are many identifiable factors that have contributed to the formation of nationalist movements. Language is one of the factors that have been identified as the motivation that led to the struggle for independence and in the end brought about the independence itself, hence the transition from a colony to a nation-state. This paper is an attempt to chart the role of language(s) in the formation of Malaysia as a post-colonial nation-state and how until today, in spite of the proclamation of Malay as the sole national language, contestation remains in the language sphere. This makes Malaysia an interesting case study of a multilingual society, one which has enjoyed economic success and political stability but the national language issue remains contested.