LANGUAGES, PLACES, AND PEACE: ETHNIC HARMONY ACROSS URBAN AND RURAL SABAH, MALAYSIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v23i38.1854Keywords:
linguistic diversity, ethnic harmony, Sabah, place of residence, language attitudesAbstract
This study tackles two research questions: RQ1: Do positive attitudes toward linguistic diversity foster ethnic harmony? and RQ2: Does place of residence influence that relationship? Surveys with 2,725 adults in seven districts of Sabah, Malaysia, captured daily language use, support for linguistic diversity, and perceived inter-ethnic harmony. Overall, respondents expressed strong approval of linguistic diversity and high levels of harmony. Statistical testing confirmed that favourable diversity attitudes are a consistent predictor of harmony, addressing RQ1. A follow-up comparison of urban and rural respondents revealed that this attitude–harmony link is noticeably stronger in rural districts, where mother-tongue use remains part of everyday life - thereby answering RQ2. In urban centres, well-established intercultural activities appear to provide a baseline of harmony, making individual attitudes less decisive. These findings suggest that social-cohesion efforts should be tailored to local contexts. Rural areas can benefit from low-cost, community-run initiatives such as heritage-language media, mother-tongue classes, and intergenerational storytelling, which reinforce positive diversity attitudes already aligned with daily practice. Urban settings, meanwhile, should focus on keeping intercultural programmes genuinely engaging rather than tokenistic. By showing how linguistic attitudes and residential context work together to shape harmony, the study offers a practical framework for other multi-ethnic societies aiming to turn cultural diversity into a shared strength.
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