The Role and Importance of Language in Nation Building

The Importance of English Language in Nation Building •

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Language is a medium of communication, mirrors one’s identity and is an integral part of culture. Ngugi wa Thiongo referred to language as the soul of culture. Language functions as one of the most obvious markers of culture. People are often identified culturally primarily (and even solely on the basis of the

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language they speak. Linguistic diversity becomes symbolic of cultural diversity. The maintenance or revitali!ation of language signals ongoing or renewed validity of 

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the culture associated with that language. Language is a means of e"pression and allows a person to participate in community

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activities. Language policy plays a vital role in the process of democratic transition. Languages are also valuable as collective human accomplishments and on#going manifestations of human creativity and originality. Language can also be a source of power, social mobility and opportunities. opportunities. Language has served both as a reason (or prete"t for brutal conflict, and as a touchstone of tolerance.

The Role of English Language in Nation Building (Economic Dimension) •

To enable people to access knowledge and information found in a great number of  sources throughout the world since the $nglish Language is a ma%or vehicle through

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which knowledge and information are transmitted. The flow of foreign investments into a country like &alaysia depends not only on the relatively low cost of labour but also on their capability to communicate in $nglish

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commensurate with the position or levels of employment they occupy. The role of $nglish is further enhanced these days as &alaysia is committed to the idea of serving as a regional centre or hub for educational e"cellence which would attract foreign students to come and study here because of 'uality and affordability. affordability.

The Role of English Language in Nation Building (Socio-cultural Dimension) • •

elp enrich the national language borrowing borrowing of scientific terms and e"pression. )t should lend itself to supporting programmes of &alay#$nglish and $nglish#&alay translatio translation, n, thereby thereby,, helping helping improve the &alay &alay language language and at the same time enhancing mutual understanding between users of the two languages in terms of 

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precision of meaning in both languages. Through the translation of works in $nglish into &alay, and vice#versa, there will be cultural and literacy enrichment on both sides.