http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/ex-politician-says/732788.html
SINGAPORE: Former Singapore politician and diplomat Lee Khoon Choy said the country's younger generation of Chinese does not know their roots.
Launching his new book, Mr Lee observed many young Singaporeans do not know where they came from and can't speak the language well.
The book titled 'The Golden Dragon and Purple Phoenix' looks at multi-ethnic descendants of Chinese immigrants in Southeast Asia.
It studies the impact of intermarriage between Chinese immigrants and natives.
Mr Lee noted some Chinese have forgotten their heritage when they assimilate in their adopted country.
Mr Lee said: "I have asked so many young people where you are from. (They say) I'm Hokkien. (When I ask) which part of Hokkien (Fujian), is it Xiamen or Quanzhou? They don't know."
The 89-year-old believes it is important for Singaporean Chinese to study the language at an early age.
"They have killed our dialect. The Nanyang University is gone, there are no more Chinese schools and no more dialects, so naturally they are Westernised. It is not a good thing. We should know our roots. Let the people speak their dialect, what is wrong with that," said Mr Lee.
- CNA/fa
Who is "they"?
Isn't Lee Khoon Choy part of the ruling party?
SINGAPORE: Former Singapore politician and diplomat Lee Khoon Choy said the country's younger generation of Chinese does not know their roots.
Launching his new book, Mr Lee observed many young Singaporeans do not know where they came from and can't speak the language well.
The book titled 'The Golden Dragon and Purple Phoenix' looks at multi-ethnic descendants of Chinese immigrants in Southeast Asia.
It studies the impact of intermarriage between Chinese immigrants and natives.
Mr Lee noted some Chinese have forgotten their heritage when they assimilate in their adopted country.
Mr Lee said: "I have asked so many young people where you are from. (They say) I'm Hokkien. (When I ask) which part of Hokkien (Fujian), is it Xiamen or Quanzhou? They don't know."
The 89-year-old believes it is important for Singaporean Chinese to study the language at an early age.
"They have killed our dialect. The Nanyang University is gone, there are no more Chinese schools and no more dialects, so naturally they are Westernised. It is not a good thing. We should know our roots. Let the people speak their dialect, what is wrong with that," said Mr Lee.
- CNA/fa
Who is "they"?
Isn't Lee Khoon Choy part of the ruling party?