Factors to Consider: Promoting Speaking Competence of National Languages of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Incompetency of verbal communication in national languages is a national-level problem in Sri Lanka when the two main language groups do not use a common language or when the citizens do not know both national languages of the country. In that context, the objective of this research is to identify the factors that hinder verbal communication between two linguistic communities in Sri Lanka, Sinhala and Tamil, and to explore the factors that can motivate the process of improving the number of speakers who are competent in Sinhala and Tamil. The aim is to facilitate harmonious coexistence among ethnicities and to increase the intercultural understanding for peaceful reconciliation in Sri Lanka. The explorative study adhered to the inductive reasoning approach. Based on the cross-sectional sampling method, 09 professionals constantly involved in verbal communication were selected, representing government and non-government institutes. The sample was collected from four provinces, particularly regarding the highest density of the multiethnic community in Sri Lanka. Interview-based qualitative data were analyzed and presented through thematic analysis followed by the themes that illustrate the aspects of educational, political, cultural, and professional. The findings suggested closely monitoring the policies and practices related to national language learning, using career advancement strategies for language learning motivation and conducting mandatory language development programmes for Sinhala and Tamil and implementing them for primary, secondary and tertiary education to build verbal communication among people to link people from different linguistic groups.