State of Chinese Dialects in Singapore

Assoc Prof Tan Kheng Boon Eugene asked the Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth what is the Government's assessment on the state of Chinese dialects and their sustainability in a growing English-speaking environment and how will an extremely low usage and dying out of these

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dialects impact upon Chinese-Singaporean culture and heritage.

Our bilingual policy rightly encourages Chinese Singaporeans to speak Mandarin rather than the Chinese dialects as it provides a common language which allows Singaporeans to access the wider Chinese culture and economic opportunities.

However, Chinese dialects continue to be used in informal communications, as well as in traditional Chinese arts and cultural forms. For example, they are still used in hawker centres, markets, as well as in getai performances and Chinese opera.

To preserve the use of Chinese dialects, the Chinese Clan Associations organise dialect classes for children, as well as for Singaporeans of all ages who are keen to improve their proficiency in these dialects.

MCCY recognises that the Chinese dialects are part of the Chinese Singaporean culture and heritage. Thus, the National Heritage Board provides grants to several Clan Associations to help preserve their heritage and promote their activities, some of which are conducted in dialect. Dialect also continues to be used in traditional arts funded by the National Arts Council, such as in Cantonese and Teochew Opera, as well as in some contemporary theatre productions.

The National Library Board's Library@Chinatown has a specially curated collection on Chinese arts and culture. This includes materials in Chinese dialects, such as Chinese opera videos and nursery rhymes, as well as audio recordings, stories and films offered in partnership with Rediffusion.

These efforts will help ensure that the use of Chinese dialects as part of the culture and heritage of Chinese Singaporeans remains accessible to future generations.