Speak Mandarin Campaign marks 40 years

A database of Mandarin terms used only in Singapore will be launched in November to preserve
the uniqueness of the country's Mandarin. This could help the community develop a deeper sense
of identity. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced this at the 40th anniversary of the Speak
Mandarin Campaign, and he also urged Singaporean Chinese to maintain their bilingual advantage.

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[justinignaciopohshinji]

It is thanks to the wide use of dialects back then which brought about the SG Chinese identity. Mandarin or putonghua alone cannot define and support this identity so we musn't be too formal or rigid in building our heritage and identity.

[trekkienzl]

I know of an ethnic Chinese Singaporean student who studied in China and is incredibly (fanatically actually) proud of his Chinese ancestry.

He told me that he hopes one day, Singapore will become part of China under a 'One Country, Two Systems' policy and he believes that Singaporeans are "eagerly" wanting to become part of China.

I don't know if all Singaporeans want to become part of China or if it's just limited to the ethnic-Chinese population that wants it, but do I get why Singaporeans have this cultural affinity for China.

[chobberoinkers]

and don't forget the land's native language; Malay

[koalatheworld]

It marks 40 years of failure. Most young singaporeans do not speak standard mandarin. Some chose not to speak the language in fear of being mistaken as China nationals. This campaign has been a joke for 40 years and still counting. But no worries, the huge number of chinese immigrants from China will help the Singaporeans. Good luck!

[SuccessforLifester]

Looks like the interviewed 'experts' have similar prepared materials. All like to cite the differences of the word Taxi in different places.

[pearlsandert]

Hkers will beat you if you speaks mandarin in hong kong coz Hkers are not chinese, buahahahahaha

[hansolo]

This Prime Minister has fore sight! So is famed investor Jim Rogers moving his family to Singapore and insist his daughter learn Mandarin.

[peterwind]

Singapore is going to be chinese anyway. Large numbers of rich chinese billionare businessmen are immigrating here. Most of them don't speak any English. The richest person in singapore is a chinese man who immigrated recently.

[luckybiby]

讲华语讲了几十年反正越讲越差, 音調不論不类, 阴阳怪气, 不该捲舌的地方卻用力捲舌过猛, 劣质笨尻柒真難教!