The Linguagenesis of Society: The Implementation of the National Language Plan in West Malaysia

Abstract

The sociogenesis of language and human conduct implies a general attitude or orientation toward the nature of the relationship between the individual, language, and society. So, too, does linguagenesis. However, there is a fundamental difference. The sociogenesis view is that the origins of language and human conduct are to be found within the matrix of social relations among people, while what I call the linguagenesis view is that the origins of social relations among people and of a united, modern nation are to be found in a common language. This single language will create a national soul, integration, and solidarity and will ensure the advent of modernity, technology, and economic development. Attempts to create united, modern societies by linguagenesis are the purview of language planning. Language is not the only aspect of national unity and development plans, but my focus is language in the context of national language-plan implementation in West Malaysia.