Speak Mandarin Campaign returns to promote language
through culture
Posted: 06 July 2010 1231 hrs
The Speak Mandarin Campaign returns for the 31st year,
with the focus again on promoting the language through
culture.
This includes the return of its series of TV commercials featuring
children of different races speaking in Mandarin to highlight the
wide reach of the language.
The advertisements made their debut in 2009, drawing mixed
reactions from the public.
Some thought they showed that anyone could learn the language but
others took issue with the fact that the commercials featured
mainly Caucasian faces and had little relevance to the population
mix here.
Also returning for its second year is the Chinese Challenge, an
online contest that tests one's knowledge of the Chinese culture
and language.
Last year, 15,000 people took part in the contest.
This year, the competition has been extended to encourage more
student participation.
Details can be found online at www.thechinesechallenge.sg. -
CNA/jm