1. Tamil Language Policy in Singapore

The present paper presents a detailed account of the Indian Language Education Policy from a historical perspective and the issues associated with policy- making for language in education in the Indian socio-political context; It argues the outcome of the policies implemented in the colonial period and discusses the current status of implementation of these policies in the present Indian Educational scenario. It further elaborates the adoption of national and regional language policies of India in general and its outcomes in Tamil Nadu state in particular. Finally it discusses and evaluates the consequences and aftermath to be taken into account by the policy makers.

2012

This paper examines recent changes in the teaching of Tamil in Singapore to students from Tamil language homes. Tamil is a diglossic language, with a formal or H variety that is used mainly in writing and is learned in schools and a spoken or L variety that is used in informal conversations and is learned naturally through exposure. Standard Spoken Tamil (SST) is the variety used by educated Tamils regardless of their caste or region in Tamil Nadu. Following the review of the Tamil language curriculum and pedagogy in 2006 by the Ministry of Education, Singapore (MOE), a Standardised variety of Spoken Tamil (SST) has become a key feature of Tamil language syllabus since 2008. This paper is based on a qualitative analysis of 18 primary school Tamil lessons and interviews with the participating teachers to understand: (a) the impact of introducing SST in Tamil classrooms; (b) the reactions of the teachers; and (c) those of the students to the lessons and techniques.

Multilingual Singapore Language Policies and Linguistic Realities, 2021

This chapter analyses the changing status of a minority Indian language, Malayalam, in Singapore and the factors that contribute to the three phrases of language use: language maintenance (1900 -1960s), language shift (1970s – 1980s) and language revitalization (1990 – 2019). In doing so, it examines (a) the factors that led to a shift away from Malayalam in a community where the language had once thrived (b) how these can be mitigated to allow the language to thrive at a community level and (c) the factors that contribute to its survival in the face of the demands made by current sociopolitical and economic imperatives within Singapore’s framework of bi/multilingualism. The chapter draws on data collected from an autobiographic narrative lens to highlight the effects of changes in demographic factors (such as the changes in population) and domains of use as well as the types of the community-driven initiatives that have kept the language alive, whilst pointing out the need for greater institutional support, moving forward.

Multilingual Singapore Language Policies and Linguistic Realities, 2021

This volume brings together researchers whose rich insights make for a comprehensive and upto-date account of Singapore's rich linguistic diversity. Applying a combination of empirical, theoretical, and descriptive approaches, the authors investigate not only official languages such as English, Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil, but also minority languages such as the Chinese vernaculars and South Asian and Austronesian languages. The chapters in this volume trace the historical development, contemporary status, and functions of these languages, as well as potential scenarios for the future. Exploring the tension between language policies and linguistic realities in Singapore, these contributions capture the shifting educational, political, and societal priorities over time. Ritu Jain is a lecturer at the Language and Communication Centre at Nanyang Technological University. Her research interests lie in the areas of language policy and planning, and language and identity. In her work, she has examined the role of language education policy in the maintenance and promotion of minority and heritage languages, and the implications this has for language maintenance and shift. She is currently exploring the interplay of language and identity among the Indian language communities of Singapore.

She has done her doctoral studies on " Linguistic diversity and group rights: an assessment of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India ". Her research interests include language in federal polity, minority accommodation and power sharing, multicultural policies and governance in democratic politics. She was a visiting scholar in the Centre for South Asian Studies, University of Edinburgh 2012, Shastri Indo-Canadian Faculty Fellow 2007. And have been awarded fellowships from Brown University, School of Critical Studies-Cornell University, University Grants Commission grants for travel and paper presentations. She has published articles on language, federalism, territoriality and power sharing in Economic and Political Weekly and international journals. Her areas of interest includes minority studies, language rights, multiculturalism, inclusionary policies for marginalized groups.