Author(s)

Naixin Wang

Corresponding Author

Naixin Wang

ABSTRACT

With the advancement of globalization and the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative in Tibet, a great number of foreigners from all over the world gather to Tibet for the purpose of study, tourism or commercial trade. In this case, people with various cultures converge in Tibet, thus providing both challenges and chances for local Tibetans to maintain and develop their own culture and the heritage language within it while interacting with other cultures. A great number of researches have shown that although there are many locals in the Tibetan region, many of them have a low level of speaking Tibetan language, not to mention literacy ability, as some Tibetan dialects have no written form at all, especially for those who have left Tibet to study or work at a young age. In order to cope with this problem, distinct language policies are implemented in Tibet according to its multiple dialects and heritage ethnic culture. This paper explores the impact of language policy on Tibetan heritage language teaching and learning in Tibet area, and further discusses the issue of local Tibetans’ identity in the multilingual context of Tibet, which has practical significance for Tibet’s language teaching pedagogy.

KEYWORDS

Tibetan heritage language, Language policy, Multilingual environment, Tibetans’ identity