Changes Of English Status And Functions In Singapore In Relation To Its Construction Of National Identity

At the independence of Singapore, the immigrants are mixed, and the communication between different ethnic groups is closed. For this reason, Singapore is committed to the construction of a high degree of national identity in order to seek national survival and development. In a series of policies to seek national survival and development, Singapore’s language policy contributes a lot, especially English language. This thesis analyses the important role of English in Singapore’s construction of national identity, and its implications for Chinese English teaching.According to Braj Kachru’s three concentric circles of World Englishes, Singapore belongs to the outer circle, where English as a second language with regulative function, interpersonal function and instrumental function is mainly acquired through school education. In the construction of national identity, Singapore constantly adjusts English status and functions, in order to make English better serve its development, In the 1950s-1960s, English is established as Singapore’s official language, and it is able to be widespread undisputedly in Singapore onwards, In 1966, Singapore introduces the mandatory bilingual education policy, and then English becomes the dominant language in school education. With the dissemination and use of English in Singapore, a new localized form of English comes into being, that is, Singapore English, In 2000, in order to prevent the use of Singapore English from jeopardizing Singaporeans’ability to use Standard English, Singapore government launches the "Speak Good English Movement". However, the development of English in Singapore has become an irresistible trend. In the last two or three decades, English has been the national language of Singapore in reality, as well as interethnic lingua franca and medium of instruction. For the development of entrepot trade, English gradually develops into a language of economy, which makes the importance of English in Singapore more prominent. Singapore English becomes a symbol of Singapore identity. So far, English in Singapore has achieved perfectly transformation from the instrumental function to the emotional function. Singapore government applies English into race issue, educational development and economic prosperity, and promotes the successful construction of Singapore’s national identity; so that people of different ethnic backgrounds in Singapore can unite together under the Singaporean identity, and be loyal to Singapore, obey the leadership of the country, in order to seek the economic prosperity and political development of Singapore.In the context of globalization, English has become a "ticket" for China to go to the world, and a high level of proficiency in English is essential. China belongs to the expanding circle where English as the most important foreign language is mainly obtained through school education. Achieving a high level of proficiency in English is not only a goal but also a challenge of Chinese English teaching. China should learn from Singapore’s successful experience, and review English status and functions in the new period, accordingly adjusting the teaching objectives in order to train students’ high level proficiency in English. Meanwhile, under the influence of the "Bringing in" and "Going out" policy, Chinese English teaching should guide students to correct their attitudes toward China English, and make it better serve the spread of Chinese culture.