THE CALA
The Annual Conference on Asian Linguistic Anthropology seeks to redefine the way we view Asian Language and Society. The CALA holds its annual conference in selected universities globally, and publishes its journal, the JALA, the Journal of Asian Linguistic Anthropology. The JALA is a quarterly, peer reviewed, free to publish, journal. The official partner for the CALA is Taylor and Francis Global Publishers, together with a global network of universities and academics.
CALA 2020 registrationAsmah Haji Omar
Professor Emeritus of the University of Malaya, where she has been Professor (Chair) of Malay Linguistics, Founder Dean of the Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor. Instrumental in the implementation of the National Language Policy at the UM, Asmah was responsible for the changeover to Malay as official and main language of the university.
ABOUT THIS SESSION
In this Part 3 CALA-only interview with the pioneer of modern Malaysian and modern Southeast Asian linguistic ideology, Asmah Haji Omar landscapes her early career, inside and outside of The University of Malaya, her first interactions with the Orang Asli, and her desire for career innovation. She describes exploring Indonesian Language and Society, and her rush to move past her PhD to contribute to The University of Malaya.