Communicative Language Attitude and Language Choices of Bruneian Youths

Abstract

In multilingual societies, individuals may choose to adjust their language to benefit themselves or the situation they are in. Notable methods of adjusting language in such communities include the use or disuse of a certain language. In recent years, there have been growing concerns for Brunei’s diminishing utilization and falling standards of Malay (Azhari, 2023) and with it, the growing inclination of youths’ preference for using English has also been the subject of much contention. As such, this research endeavoured to investigate the influence of language attitudes and demographic factors that constitutes the language choice of Bruneian youths. This study aims to provide an updated overview of youth language choice patterns that could further the understanding of the linguistic choices of local youths. Through this, the study sought to facilitate the development of better and effective strategies for language teaching and language learning, and to enhance efforts of language maintenance. The study made use of a survey questionnaire participated by 115 youths of Brunei. The findings posit a general inclination for Bruneian youths to use English over Malay. Participants were also found having more positive attitudes towards English compared to Malay, associating the former with ideas of success, achievement and modernisation. Despite this, the research noted that Malay still plays an important role in the lives of Bruneian youths, as a language that is tied to their emotions, their sense of self and their identities.