Debated in Parliament on 21 Mar 2023.
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Communications and Information whether the Government issues guidelines on the use of local vernacular languages in wayfinding signs and public address systems within healthcare institutions and MRT stations to aid elderly Singaporeans.
Sir, Government agencies make their own assessments on when to use the three mother tongue languages (MTLs) to effectively communicate and meet the needs of their stakeholders.
In general, counter and service staff are available in the healthcare institutions to assist elderly Singaporeans who need help with wayfinding. In the case of our MRT stations, key information signages, such as station names, as well as public address announcements on important matters, such as travel advisories, are made using the four official languages.
Mr Gerald Giam.
I thank the Senior Minister of State for his reply. Can I check if the Government has any intention to publish any guide on wayfinding that can be used by developers and other public institutions, as well as private institutions, to include and mention about how it is important to use the vernacular languages in some instances, especially places where senior citizens are frequenting, like hospitals and MRT stations?
Sir, the responsibility is for Ministries and Government agencies to assess the operations and functions within their facilities and make an assessment. How they choose to rely on MTLs where it is relevant to meet the needs of their stakeholders is an assessment for the individual Ministry or agency to make.
PAPERCUTS