This book provides a timely and nuanced exploration of language policy and planning (LPP) at the supranational level, focusing on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It contributes to the study of language ideology, language ecology, and the politics of language by interrogating ASEAN’s adoption of English as its sole working language against a rich multilingual landscape. Through interdisciplinary theoretical frameworks and empirical research, the book analyses both historical and contemporary rationales for ASEAN’s linguistic choices and proposes alternative visions for its linguistic future.
Chapter 1 introduces ASEAN’s institutional norms and sets the stage by contrasting its English-only working language policy with the multilingual practices of other regional and international organisations. It surveys the English language policies in its ten member states and questions the implications of a monolingual regime within a linguistically diverse region.
Chapter 2 outlines the key theoretical frameworks for supranational LPP, including the historical-structural approach, ecology-of-languages paradigm, and various models of language ideology. The hybrid framework developed here integrates these perspectives to examine ASEAN’s language policy in a broader geopolitical and sociolinguistic context.
Chapter 3 explains the research methodology. It describes how applied linguists and sociolinguists were invited to reflect on and reimagine ASEAN’s language policy and details the procedures for data collection and analysis.
Chapter 4 is a pivotal section, analysing why English was selected as ASEAN’s working language. Drawing on the concepts of ‘path dependency’ and the ‘ASEAN way’, it argues that this decision reflects institutional continuity and pragmatism, as well as an aspiration toward a politically safe and neutral linguistic environment. The chapter reveals that while English is far from ideologically neutral, it was chosen as the least biased option to avoid linguistic and political conflict. It provides a compelling historical-structural explanation for how English emerged as both the de facto and de jure working language.
Chapter 5 builds on participant perspectives and policy documents to uncover two dominant ideologies: English as a language for/of development and English as a hegemonic force. The chapter critically unpacks how these ideologies influence both ASEAN’s institutional language practices and the English language education policies adopted by its member states. A key insight is the distinction between a ‘working language’ and a ‘language of ASEAN’, reminding readers that English remains external to the region’s linguistic identity.
Chapter 6 attempts to balance idealistic imagination with pragmatic recommendations, proposing alternative directions for ASEAN LPP by advocating a shift from monolingualism to a multilingual, ecology-informed paradigm. It supports the introduction of mother tongue-based multilingual education and considers the prospective roles of Bahasa Indonesia/Malay and Mandarin as potential co-working languages.
Chapter 7 summarises the findings, reflects on theoretical contributions, and suggests directions for future LPP in ASEAN.
Overall, the book not only sheds light on ASEAN’s past and present language ideologies but also puts forward theoretically grounded proposals for its linguistic future. It offers critical insights into the ideological, structural, and ecological dimensions of ASEAN’s English-only regime, alongside inclusive alternatives that may inform future language policy and multilingual planning.
