Speaking dialect has its uses

last SG · 2011-03-22T17:43:06+00:00

This is an old term from Quemoy, when I go to Riau yrs ago, I hear this term quite often.I believe there is less than 10,000 Quemoy people in Sg; many of who...

Clivebenss SG

Actually is that going to be good or not good ?

I do not feel comfortable if that is the direction.

Dialect happens because in the past when transportation and communication is less advanced, people in one certain area would develop its own local language and customs etc.

Now as technology advance and the human mobility is highly improved, there is more and more contact and interactions between different peoples.

We are talking that in China itself there is great mobility and "strandardization" in language.

What about Singapore ?

Singapore is a very little place.

Singapore is very compact, tiny, densely populated, diverse, city.

I think another issue is also about internal Chinese unity and identity.

If there are schools based on dialects, that is retrogressive because it is bringing up again the situation in the past, where transportation and communication is less advanced, and that there were different blocks or groups of speakers.

In other words, it re-introduce and re-emphasize division.

I believe Singapore and especially Singaporean Chinese, which do not number that much, and has to live amongst other cultures, do not need to separate and divide themselves.

Of course, the primary motive and desire to do so, is to continue a heritage, to preserve something and to conserve something, something that is intimate and personal and precious.

I can understand that.

However I take the view that the present generation must take the sacrifice.

The present generation is the transitionary generation.

It depends now, does the present generation want to be nostalgic, and take a one step forward, two step back approach, or complete the process of standardization and unification, for the benefit of internal Chinese unity and identification.

For me I myself am also nostalgic about my dialect group. However I think it is not nice if we undo the great melting pot process of Chinese unification by reintroducing dialects. Just from the big picture, cultural aspect, I feel it is a kind of suicide and a kind of counter-productive thing to do.

Secondly we need to understand Singapore is not China. Singapore is not Taiwan, is not HongKong.

Singapore is a very far away place from the real ancestral cultural root of Singaporean Chinese in East Asia. It is located deep in South East Asia. Here there are many other cultures, and lots of immigrants and expats too. It is also heavily under the cultural influence of the Western culture and the English language.

Under such circumstances, it is simply impractical and impossible to have the luxury of reintroducing dialects.

If we understand something, actually the whole "cultural heritage" aspect of the people living in Singapore, is under heavy assault everyday from English / Western culture and also other component cultures. This is the basic fundamental setup of Singapore. If the Chinese Singaporeans should decide to separate and divide themselves by reintroducing dialects, it is very bad and is very messy, and is suicidal, because you further weaken yourself.

The others in HK and TW can do it because they have the relative critical mass.

We must understand what is Singapore and what can or cannot be done for Singapore.

Is dialects bad? I don't think so. Any language or dialect is a additional advantage.

Besides dialect is where one's root is, once lost many indigenous expressions and culture will be lost too.

Mandarin is actually a simplified language for mass education for the illiterate then; don't think it have the rich cultural and expressions that dialect can amplified.

The man who was death SG

traditional hand puppetry is already dead in singapore.............i would love to see getais going back to doing operas...

Veggie Bao SG

Is dialects bad? I don't think so. Any language or dialect is a additional advantage.

Besides dialect is where one's root is, once lost many indigenous expressions and culture will be lost too.

Mandarin is actually a simplified language for mass education for the illiterate then; don't think it have the rich cultural and expressions that dialect can amplified.

Dialect can indeed be an additonal knowledge and advantage. Especially since it contains indigenous expressions and culture.

However this comes back again at the very heart, and fundamental question, of what is the aim and the overall goal of cultural preservation and cultural identity.

For instance, there is a trade-off.

The more Chinese Singaporeans learn Mandarin, the less dialect mastery will be attained.

This is a trade-off.

But do we see the other side of the ledger.

It promotes and encourage better unification among Chinese groups.

I am of the view that this is a better attainment and is a more beneficial result.

My concern is that, if dialect is promoted or re-envigorated, or formally thought in schools, my concern is that it will create some sort of division or sense of separation.

Again, this is different in the case of HK or TW.

They have the critical mass and the relative homogeneity.

Even in those cases, actually if we understand, they have formed their own "block" or separation or division, because indeed, they are not in 1 socio-political entity together with the PRC, they are not together with lots of other Chinese speakers. They are in their own exclusive corners.

Now in Singapore is that possible and feasible ?

My main concern is simply the fear of division, and the fear that in complex and complicated Singaporean situation, it is actually going to be counter-productive and create a disserve towards cultural preservation of any kind.

I am of the view that the younger Chinese Singaporean generation, of the present generation, must complete the transition and be strong enough to complete it.

BanguIzai SG

traditional hand puppetry is already dead in singapore.............i would love to see getais going back to doing operas...

and " Ch'ar T'au Kar Leh " too

Clivebenss SG

Dialect can indeed be an additonal knowledge and advantage. Especially since it contains indigenous expressions and culture.

However this comes back again at the very heart, and fundamental question, of what is the aim and the overall goal of cultural preservation and cultural identity.

For instance, there is a trade-off.

The more Chinese Singaporeans learn Mandarin, the less dialect mastery will be attained.

This is a trade-off.

But do we see the other side of the ledger.

It promotes and encourage better unification among Chinese groups.

I am of the view that this is a better attainment and is a more beneficial result.

My concern is that, if dialect is promoted or re-envigorated, or formally thought in schools, my concern is that it will create some sort of division or sense of separation.

Again, this is different in the case of HK or TW.

They have the critical mass and the relative homogeneity.

Now in Singapore is that possible and feasible ?

I am of the view that the younger Chinese Singaporean generation, of the present generation, must complete the transition and be strong enough to complete it.

your choice.

BanguIzai SG

I want to use 2 articles from Canada relating to the current situation of the Inuit dialects (specifically the Inuktitut dialect) that are spoken by the Inuit natives (or commonly referred as Eskimo people). I hope it can serve as a reflection to the dialects in Singapore (eg. let me use Hokkien to substitute the Inuktitut language for example) and hope we can learn from their experiences:

http://www.sikunews.com/News/Canada-Nunavut/Help-Inuktitut-2113
http://www.sikunews.com/News/Canada-Nunavut/1508

(i quote to show where I find striking parallelisms and substitutes to our local context in bold)

-- 1.

Inuktitut will never become the territorial governments working language unless Nunavuts high school students can study in Inuktitut, says a new report by Louis-Jacques Dorais of Université Laval in Quebec City.

Hokkien will never become our working language unless Singapore high school students can study in Hokkien, says a new report by .....

-- 2.

If students dont study in Inuktitut beyond Grades 3 or 4, it will never be possible to give Inuktitut its proper place in Nunavut, says Dorais, who speaks several Inuktitut dialects and Greenlandic fluently.

If students dont study in Hokkien beyond Grades 3 or 4, it will never be possible to give Hokkien its proper place in Singapore, says ..., who speaks several Chinese dialects and Hokkien fluently.

-- 3.

It will, for sure, continue to be spoken for some decades, at least outside of Iqaluit, but its use risks being increasingly limited to petty topics, on the one hand, and highly symbolic domains (traditional life, political discourse, religious ceremonies) on the other.

It will, for sure, continue to be spoken for some decades, at least outside of ..., but its use risks being increasingly limited to petty topics, on the one hand, and highly symbolic domains (traditional life, political discourse, religious ceremonies) on the other.

-- 4.

Dorais says that within 10 or 15 years, Iqaluit may well become like Cambridge Bay, where only a massive educational effort might be able revive the Innuinaqtun dialect.

... says that within 10 or 15 years, ... may well become like ..., where only a *massive educational effort* might be able revive the Hokkien dialect.

-- 5.

Dorais says Inuktitut will never become Nunavuts working language unless the Government of Nunavut:

* Reaffirms its commitment to making Inuktitut the GNs working language by 2020;
* Creates a strong model for bilingual education;
* Determines where and how Inuktitut and English should be used;
* Trains more Inuktitut teachers, with a target of 85 per cent for 2020.

... says Hokkien will never become Singapore's working language unless the Government of Singapore:

* Reaffirms its commitment to making Hokkien the working language by 2020;
* Creates a strong model for bilingual education;
* Determines where and how Hokkien and English should be used;
* Trains more Hokkien teachers, with a target of 85 per cent for 2020.

-- 6.

Doraiss research attributes Inuktituts decline partially to the lack of a common dialect, which means Inuit often use English to communicate with each other in Iqaluit.

... research attributes Hokkien's decline partially to the lack of a common dialect (among Singaporean Chinese), which means Chinese often use English/Mandarin to communicate with each other in Singapore.

-- 7.

English also dominates because its needed in the job market, its the vehicle of popular culture, and most contacts with Qallunaat occur in English.

English also dominates because its needed in the job market, its the vehicle of popular culture, and most contacts with the outside world occur in English.

-- 8.

Despite its increasing symbolic and political value, Inuktitut seems to be in decline in Iqaluit homes, Dorais says. A majority of younger parents speak English to their kids or speak both languages.

Despite its increasing symbolic and political value, Hokkien seems to be in decline in Hokkienese homes, ... says. A majority of younger parents speak English to their kids or speak both languages.

-- 9.

The idea that you have to speak good Inuktitut or speak a common dialect of Inuktitut isnt helping. It may be better to speak a simplified version of Inuktitut than no Inuktitut at all, Dorais says.

The idea that you have to speak good Hokkien or speak a common dialect of Min-dialects isnt helping. It may be better to speak a simplified version of Hokkien than no Hokkien at all, Dorais says.

-- 10.

As for expressing emotions or political speech, English is considered more direct and more transparent in its meaning, while Inuktitut is recognized as less direct and better for talking about culture.

As for expressing emotions or political speech, English is considered more direct and more transparent in its meaning, while Hokkien is recognized as less direct and better for talking about culture.

-- 11.

Middle-aged Inuit appear to be at the core of transition towards full bilingualism in Iqaluit.

Middle-aged Hokkienese appear to be at the core of transition towards full bilingualism in Singapore.

-- 12.

Even so, younger people told Dorais they think their grandchildren will be speaking Inuktitut.

Even so, younger people told ... they think their grandchildren will (not) be speaking Hokkien.

-- 13.

Younger individuals (who, for the most part, do not have grandchildren yet) give an idealistic answer, because they are conscious of the part played by language in asserting Inuit identity.

Younger individuals (who, for the most part, do not have grandchildren yet) give an idealistic answer, because they are conscious of the part played by language in asserting Hokkien identity.

-- 14.

But older people arent so optimistic about the future of Inuktitut: when looking at my youngest child and at my grandchild, I know they will hardly be able to talk in Inuktitut, I think they will not be able to read and write in Inuktitut.

*** But older people arent so optimistic about the future of Hokkien: when looking at my youngest child and at my grandchild, I know they will ** HARDLY ** be able to talk in Hokkien, I think they will ** NOT ** be able to read and write in Hokkien. ***

-- 15.

And all language professionals doubt the GN can reach its goal of making Inuktitut the working language by 2020. One said when the government has to set special days aside to celebrate things like language and culture, it is the surest proof that these things are dying.

And all language professionals doubt Singapore can reach its goal of making Hokkien the working language by 2020. One said when the government has to set special days aside to celebrate things like language and culture, it is the surest proof that these things are dying.

-- 16.

Many told Dorais they want the GN and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. to invest money in Inuktitut programs, although others said the responsibility for language teaching lies first and foremost in the home.

Many told ... they want the Singapore Government and Language Department / MOE to invest money in Hokkien programs, although others said the responsibility for language teaching lies first and foremost in the home.

-- 17.

Research by linguists Louis Jacques Dorais and Susan Sammons predicts that by 2020, Inuktitut will survive, but in a badly-weakened state, reports the Nunatsiaq News.

Research by linguists ... and ... predicts that by 2020, Hokkien will survive, but in a badly-weakened state, reports the ....

-- 18.

That's because growing numbers of young Inuit in these two regions of Canada prefer to use English, for ease of communication.

That's because growing numbers of young Hokkiens in these Singapore prefer to use English, for ease of communication.

-- 19.

Their research shows the principal language of communication for Inuit under 30 who live in Iqaluit is already English, even if most can speak Inuktitut with some fluency.

Their research shows the principal language of communication for Hokkiens under 30 who live in Singapore is already English, even if most can speak Hokkien with some fluency.

-- 20.

"For them, their native language is part of their identity, and it must be transmitted to children. Many people, young or old, believe that one of the principal reasons for having established Nunavut is to protect Inuit language and culture," Dorais said. "The Government of Nunavut should, thus, put efforts and monies into linguistic and cultural programs."

"For them, their native language is part of their identity, and it must be transmitted to children. Many people, young or old, believe that one of the principal reasons for having established Hokkien establishment is to protect Hokkien language and culture," ... said. "The Government of Singapore should, thus, put efforts and monies into linguistic and cultural programs."

-- 21.

But Dorais and Sammons found that when people communicate among themselves, they prefer to use the language that makes communication the easiest.
For younger Inuit, especially in Iqaluit, this language seems to be English, sometimes mixed with Inuktitut.

But ... and ... found that when people communicate among themselves, they prefer to use the language that makes communication the easiest.
For younger Hokkiens, especially in Singapore, this language seems to be English, sometimes mixed with other languages/dialects.

-- 22.

Dorais and Sammons believe that this is because:

* Most young people do not know how to speak in Inuktitut about everyday life in today's world;
* Young people have been schooled almost exclusively in English;
* Youth culture is mostly North America's popular culture, which is expressed in English - "so, here again, it is not possible, nor necessary, for them to discuss it in Inuktitut," Dorais said

... and ... believe that this is because:

* Most young people do not know how to speak in Hokkien about everyday life in today's world;
* Young people have been schooled almost exclusively in English;
* Youth culture is mostly Singapore's popular culture, which is expressed in English - "so, here again, it is not possible, nor necessary, for them to discuss it in Hokkien," ... said

-- 23.

To reverse this situation, Dorais suggests education in Inuktitut should be offered up to Grade 12, and there should be more efforts to produce "modern" television programs, CDs, DVDs, etc. in Inuktitut.

To reverse this situation, ... suggests education in Hokkien should be offered up to JC2, and there should be more efforts to produce "modern" television programs, CDs, DVDs, etc. in Hokkien.

-- 24.

"This is what has been done in Greenland since Home Rule in 1979, and it has worked," Dorais said.

"Kalaallisut is the principal language used by all native Greenlanders, whatever their age, even if most of them are bilingual in Danish, and even trilingual, with English added. But I doubt that in Canada, the governments will ever allow the huge funds necessary for developing education."

"This is what has been done in Taiwan since Mother Tongue Movement in the 90's, and it has worked," ... said.

"Taiwanese is the principal language used by many native Taiwanese, whatever their age, even if most of them are bilingual in Mandarin, and even trilingual, with English added. But I doubt that in Singapore, the governments will ever allow the huge funds necessary for developing education."

see: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiwanese_Hokkien#Mother_tongue_movement)

-- 25.

So, if nothing changes, the situation Dorais said by 2020 Inuktitut will still be spoken, at least in the Baffin region and Nunavik - but it won't be thriving.

So, if nothing changes, the situation ... said by 2020 Hokkien will still be spoken, at least in the some situations - but it won't be thriving.

-- 26.

"Inuktitut will still be heard both in official circumstances, at the Legislative Assembly, in political speeches, etc., and among groups of relatives and friends - mixed with English - for joking, enjoying oneself and discussing small topics, what to eat, where to go today, etc."

"Hokkien will still be heard both in a few places etc., and among groups of relatives and friends - mixed with English - for joking, enjoying oneself and discussing small topics, what to eat, where to go today, etc."

-- 27.

Dorais said the need to be understood easily will continue to push speakers toward English, but the pride of being Inuk and identifying with Inuktitut will preserve some of the original language.

... said the need to be understood easily will continue to push speakers toward English, but the pride of being Hokkiens and identifying with Hokkien heritage will preserve some of the original language.

This is what I feel.