\n<\/p>\n
Lastly, elderly speakers for whom dialects were their first or only language, have become disconnected from the wider, largely English-dominant society. This includes the sad fact that many grandparents were unable to communicate with their grandchildren who are only fluent in English and Mandarin.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My research interviewing prominent members of the Chinese community found that many continue to view the Speak Mandarin Campaign as too extreme. Giving up dialects was a sacrifice they made in the name of nation building. This small step to allow dialects to be used more freely in public media will go a long way to healing these wounds and allow our elderly to reconnect with a language they once enjoyed freely.<\/p>\n
The opinions I express here should not be seen as lobbying the state to promote Chinese dialects with public funding. It is not a call for revitalisation or introduction in the public education system.<\/p>\n
It is simply a suggestion that we should reconsider the restrictions on dialects in media such as public radio; to treat these languages on the same playing field as any other foreign language like Korean.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ironically, Teochew has become as foreign as Korean to the ears of many young Singaporeans today. Yet, we have a ludicrous situation where K-pop songs are aired on local Chinese radio stations, while Cantopop continues to be restricted.<\/p>\n
Moreover, the decision to import films like \u2018Dear You\u2019 in their original language is a purely commercial decision for operators based on public demand. The restrictions on dialects appears especially anachronistic given that audiences can easily circumvent them by accessing such content online or through other means.<\/p>\n
Persisting in this policy in light of the above would suggest a stubbornness that can only result in bad outcomes for all.<\/p>\n