Dwujęzyczność i wielojęzyczność: Definicje, przyczyny i polityki w Azji Południowo-Wschodniej i Wschodniej ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem Singapuru i Tajwanu

This article examines the dynamics of bilingualism and multilingualism in East and Southeast Asia, focusing on Taiwan and Singapore as comparative case studies. It provides a historical overview of language policies in the region, highlighting the impact of colonialism, globalization, and national identity formation. The study analyzes Taiwan’s „Bilingual Taiwan 2030” initiative, assessing its implications for national identity, social cohesion, and economic competitiveness in the context of geopolitical tensions with China. A comparative analysis of Singapore’s multilingual policy illustrates different approaches to linguistic governance. The research is interdisciplinary, integrating sociolinguistics, political science, and identity studies, and is based on governmental reports, expert interviews, and scholarly literature in English and Chinese. The findings underscore the role of bilingualism as both a tool for global integration and a means of cultural preservation. Taiwan’s experience offers insights into balancing linguistic globalization with the protection of local languages in politically contested spaces.