Examines the origins of West Malaysia's cultural pluralism in the century prior to 1874. Traces the development of formal educational provision in the early years of the Straits of Malacca settlements. Concludes that West Malaysia's communal ills were the consequence of a multiplicity of circumstances, not merely British educational policies.…

Describes the processes by which distinctive varieties of English develop in areas where English functions as a second language. The distinctions between rhetorical and communicative norms for speech events in these varieties are discussed. (Author/AM)

This paper examines educational policies in certain culturally plural South East Asian societies in relation to hypotheses concerning differences in educational policies resulting from the threat felt by the dominant elite and the effects of educational and national language policies on the assimilation or alienation of different ethnic groups.…