The Roles of Multilingualism in Enhancing the Relationship between ASEAN and South Korea

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyse a very common phenomenon in Malaysia, namely multilingualism, and provide evidence of how multilingualism could enhance the relationship between the ASEAN countries and South Korea. A survey of 50 Malaysian students was conducted to assess their proficiency in and knowledge of ASEAN and Korean languages, and a series of interviews was conducted with the same group of students. The results of the survey showed that 92% of respondents were multilingual, able to speak Malay, English, and at least one other language, indicating that multilingualism is a widespread phenomenon here in Malaysia. The majority of the respondents agreed that multilingualism improved their problem-solving skills, led to greater academic success, boosted career prospects, helped them understand cultural differences, enhanced their self-esteem, and expanded their social networks. Normalising multilingualism could be a simple way of enhancing the relationship between the ASEAN countries and South Korea. This can be achieved through the exchange of expertise, student exchange programmes, and through educational institutes. It is hoped that this study will provide policymakers with foundational ideas on how multilingualism could bridge the gap and enhance relationships between countries.