Language and National Identity in Asia

by Andrew Simpson

Overview

Language and National Identity in Asia is a comprehensive introduction to the role of language in the construction and development of nations and national identities in Asia.

Leading scholars from all over the world investigate the role languages have played and now play in the formation of the national and social identity in countries throughout South, East, and Southeast Asia. They consider the relation of the regions' languages to national, ethnic, and cultural identity, and examine the status of and interactions between majority, official, and minority languages.

Illustrated with maps and accessibly written this book will interest all those concerned to understand the dynamics of social change in some of the most important countries in the world. It will appeal to all those studying, researching, or teaching issues in Asian society, language, and politics from a comparative perspective.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199267484
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	10/11/2007
Series:	Oxford Linguistics
Pages:	478
Product dimensions:	9.70(w) x 6.60(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Andrew Simpson is professor of linguistics in the Departments of Linguistics and East Asian Languages and Cultures in the University of Southern California. For many years, he has lived, worked and carried out research in various countries in East, Southeast and South Asia, and has published extensively on a wide range of topics relating to Asian languages. Currently he is also joint general editor of the Journal of East Asian Linguistics.

Table of Contents

ContentsList of MapsNotes on Contributors1. Language and National Identity in Asia: A Thematic Introduction, Andrew SimpsonPart I South Asia2. Bangladesh, Hanne-Ruth Thompson3. India, R. Amritavalli and K. A. Jayaseelan4. Nepal and the Eastern Himalayas, Rhoderick Chalmers5. Pakistan, Christopher Shackle6. Sri Lanka, K. N. O. DharmadasaPart II East Asia7. China, Ping Chen8. Hong Kong, Andrew Simpson9. Japan, Nanette Gottlieb10. North and South Korea, Ross King11. Taiwan, Andrew SimpsonPart III Southeast Asia12. Burma/Myanmar, Justin Watkins13. Cambodia, Steve Heder14. Indonesia, Andrew Simpson15. Malaysia, Asmah Haji Omar16. The Philippines, Andrew Gonzalez17. Singapore, Andrew Simpson18. Thailand and Laos, Andrew Simpson and Noi Thammasathien19. Vietnam, Le Minh-Hang and Stephen O'HarrowReferencesIndex