Bilingualism is possible, says Lee Kuan Yew
SINGAPORE - Former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said he is
convinced bilingualism is possible in Singapore, with English as a
master language, and it would be a bonus if Singaporeans could have
a third language.
"It's best (for
the Chinese) to have Malay as a third language. If
you can understand it and speak it, you will be up to date with
happenings from Malaysia and Indonesia. It is a plus point," said
Mr Lee in Mandarin, at the launch of the Mandarin edition of his
latest book, Lee Kuan Yew: Hard Truths to Keep Singapore Going,
yesterday.
Noting that the use of English has propelled Singapore's position
in the world, while Mandarin has enabled Singaporeans to take
advantage of a rising China, Mr Lee felt that children should be
exposed to two languages at an early stage to make bilingualism
achievable.
"My Chinese, I had no total immersion. So it was a constant
struggle to overcome one difficulty after another, so that in the
end I'm able to speak without much effort," he said.
"I think if we
arrange our education system, especially in kindergarten and
pre-school in such a way that our children are exposed to two
languages straightaway, we will make bilingualism a reality and
easily achieved by all."
Mr Lee, who also turned 88 yesterday, was serenaded by guests at
the launch with Happy Birthday in both English and
Mandarin.
The Mandarin edition of Mr Lee's book comes nine months after the
first edition in English was released. Published by Singapore Press
Holdings, it is based on 16 interviews with Mr
Lee.
It caused a controversy earlier this year, when some of Mr Lee's
remarks in the book on Malay-Muslims in Singapore being "distinct
and separate" drew protest from Malay-Muslim
groups.
Mr Lee later issued a statement saying that he "stands corrected",
and noted that the interviews had been done two to three years
ago.
The comments have not been removed from the Mandarin edition, but
Mr Lee's full statement is appended in the book.
http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110917-0000472/Bilingualism-is-possible,-says-Lee-Kuan-Yew
it is possible. We should even expose a pre-kindergarten kid to
the 4 languages of Singapore.
In my opinion, currently the status of Malay as a "national
language" but without instruction medium to all Singaporeans is a
pretense act. Please teach to all Singaporeans rather than
hang an empty name or sing in National Anthem only.