The discourse representation of policy makers and stakeholders on language policy matters in Malaysia

Tharmalingam, Selvarajah (2014) The discourse representation of policy makers and stakeholders on language policy matters in Malaysia. In: 7th International Conference of English as a Lingua Franca ELF: Pedagogical and Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 4th - 6th September 2014, Athens, Greece. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Language issues and controversies in relation to language policies are not uncommon in multiethnic societies, and Malaysia is no exception. With globalization in mind, the Ministry of Education (MOE) implemented a new language policy in 2003 targeting the use of English in teaching and learning Science and Mathematics in English. Known as PPSMI (a Malay acronym), the new policy was rescinded in favour of a politically appropriate policy (MBMMBI), one that ensures the usage of Malay language as a medium of communication in all national schools and secondary schools. However, this decision attracted contestations among people of all walks of life. The policy makers maintained that MBMMBI is the way forward while the proponents of PPSMI stressed that it is a regressive decision. The discourse representation of the policy makers and the stakeholders are collected from three different newspapers: Utusan Malaysia, The Star and The New Straits Times and three online portals: Malaysiakini, Malaysian Insider and Free Malaysia Today. The Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) method is used to examine the ‘discourse representation’ of the policy makers and the stakeholders in determining the future direction of the MBMMBI policy.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Full Paper)
Additional Information:	6756/39853
Uncontrolled Keywords:	critical discourse analysis, discourse representation, discursive practices, discursive events, hegemony, PPSMI, MBMMBI, language policy, policy makers, stakeholders
Subjects:	P Language and Literature > P Philology. Linguistics
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of English Language & Literature
Depositing User:	Dr Selvarajah Tharmalingam
Date Deposited:	11 Mar 2015 10:11
Last Modified:	11 Mar 2015 10:11
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/39853

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