Video: How the PAP Govt's language policy had alienated the older generation

[SNAblog]

Video: How the PAP Govt's language policy has alienated the older generation

Youtube, 28 Jun 2010

Singapore. One Country, Many Tongues.

The other side of Singapore. At independence in 1965, most ethnic Chinese in Singapore spoke Chinese dialects. Virtually none used Mandarin as their predominant language at home. Over the years, use of dialects within the Chinese community has slowly disappeared, and a new generation of Singaporean-Chinese bilingual in English and Mandarin has emerged. Increasingly, English rather than Mandarin is the language used in homes. This short film traces the impact of these language changes on family ties within the Singaporean Chinese community.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVP5pGgYG7Q

 

[kingrant]

Thanks, SNAblog, good post!

It's so sad. And it is an emotional issue too. I fully understand and empathise with the older folks and the young gen. My sons e.g. can't communicate to become close to their grandparents, the way my wife and I used to do.

Alas! The so-called beneficial effects of forcing a whole gen of younger population into speaking Mandarin have still to be seen.

 

[Sideswipe]

Well, majority of Singaporeans voted for PAP to form govt in 1963 GE.
you reap what you sow, 天作蘖尤可恕 自作蘖不可活.