Abstract:
Language planning can be defined as a deliberate attempt to change the
linguistics behaviour of a speech community for a particular reason. It is often
associated with the government planning. It can be initiated to push a certain
language towards a stipulated goal. The recognition of two or more official
languages can largely be attributed to a scenario stemming out of a socio-political
dilemma. Therefore, decisions on language policy and planning are made around
the globe every day to create the much needed harmony within their countries.
Especially, in multilingual countries, it is becoming more and more essential to
have a well-planned language policy. To date, around 200 countries in the world
recognise two or more official languages. This study focuses on the language
policy in Sri Lanka and Singapore with particulars emphasis on the historical,
political and social changes in language policy decisions and the present situation
of their language policies as multi-lingual countries in the Asian region. After a
general account of the language profile of Sri Lanka and Singapore, this research
examines the status planning in both countries since they became independent
countries. Finally, it discusses some important recent developments in language
planning in both countries and how they constructed the ethnic harmony through
language planning and is their language planning, a success or a failure. As the
methodology both primary and secondary data were collected by referring
official documents, constitution of both countries and other subject related
sources. This study demonstrates the linguistic, political and ethnic characters of
language planning in two multi-lingual countries.
