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SINGAPORE \u2013 The authorities are reviewing the film guidelines with respect to the use of dialects in films, said Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Tan Kiat How on July 7.<\/p>\n
The implementation of current guidelines has already evolved with the changing language environment, he said in Parliament, citing the flexibility around the screenings of Teochew dialect film Dear You<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n Tan said there is scope to consider how the Government can expand the space for dialects while continuing to uphold the importance of Mandarin.<\/p>\n The Government will take into account different media platforms in doing so, he added in response to calls from MPs for the guidelines around language use in media to be reviewed, in particular for dialect use.<\/p>\n The Infocomm Media Development Authority\u2019s (IMDA) initial decision to limit screenings of Dear You, a Chinese movie that was filmed mostly in the Teochew dialect, had sparked discussion online about the Speak Mandarin Campaign. The campaign was launched in 1979 to promote the use of Mandarin as the main language for Singapore\u2019s Chinese community, as opposed to dialects.<\/p>\n \u201cWe recognise that the circumstances have changed since these guidelines were first introduced,\u201d said Tan.<\/p>\n There are no dialect restrictions for arts performances or content available on the internet and online streaming services, he noted.<\/p>\n \u201cOn free-to-air television and radio, we believe that Mandarin should continue to be the mainstay,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cFor cinemas, we are prepared to allow more screenings of dialect-language films, so as to provide audiences with greater access to such content.\u201d<\/p>\n He added that the Ministry of Digital Development and Information will carefully consider what further steps are appropriate.<\/p>\n MPs from both sides of the House filed 10 questions on the issue, including on whether the Government would review the Speak Mandarin Campaign\u2019s continued application to locally screened dialect films and on its assessment of the campaign\u2019s effectiveness.<\/p>\n IMDA had on June 16 said Dear You would be\u00a0screened in its Mandarin-dubbed version\u00a0for general release in Singapore. The Teochew version of the indie film would still be screened at the premiere and be made available for subsequent festival and niche screenings, it said, adding that this continues to support\u00a0the bilingual policy<\/span><\/a>, which aims to promote Mandarin as the main language among Chinese Singaporeans.<\/p>\n Since then, it has approved more screenings in Teochew in batches.<\/p>\n Tan on July 7 said IMDA has greater flexibility to allow more dialect content in films, in recognition that Singapore\u2019s language environment has evolved.<\/p>\n IMDA has approved a total of 272 screenings of the Teochew version of Dear You, and is prepared to approve additional screenings should the film distributor request them in response to audience demand, he said.<\/p>\n The 272 screenings include an additional 100 screenings approved on July 7.<\/p>\n Tan said guidelines on language use in media support the Government\u2019s longstanding policy of promoting Mandarin as one of four official languages, and have generally served Singapore well.<\/p>\n Each year, around 30 to 40 dialect films are screened at film festivals. IMDA has also allowed unrestricted screenings of films with substantial use of dialects, such as 881, Long Long Time Ago and Wonderland, said Tan.<\/p>\n