Reflections on the Language Issues in Macau [electronic resource] : Policies, Realities, and Prospects / Sylvia S. L. Ieong.
Discussion of the role of languages in Macau focuses on three areas: forces in determination of language policy; actual language use in Macau; and prospects beyond 1999. Four main forces for language policy are identified: emergence of a middle class due to economic progress and access to higher edu...
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Full Text (via ERIC) |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Electronic eBook |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
[S.l.] :
Distributed by ERIC Clearinghouse,
1993.
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| Summary: | Discussion of the role of languages in Macau focuses on three areas: forces in determination of language policy; actual language use in Macau; and prospects beyond 1999. Four main forces for language policy are identified: emergence of a middle class due to economic progress and access to higher education; arrival of well-educated, liberal professionals, administrators, and officials from Portugal; increased immigration of Chinese intellectuals; and a flow of international scholars and expatriate academics through Macau. The current language situation is characterized as multilingual, with Cantonese and Portuguese the official languages but with more interest in learning and using English than Portuguese. Interest in systematic learning and teaching of Chinese has also been growing. Putonghua or Mandarin, the native language, is gaining ground. It is predicted that eventually, administrators and officials will speak Mandarin publicly and read in English and Portuguese; businessmen will speak Mandarin, Chinese, and English interchangeably depending on the occasion; other professionals will use Mandarin or English in business or public situations; schoolchildren will likely use English and Mandarin in school and Cantonese at home and play; most daily business will be conducted in any native language; and Chinese and English will be the languages of travel and tourism. (Contains 27 references.) (MSE) |
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| Item Description: | ERIC Document Number: ED368168. |
| Physical Description: | 11 p. |