Recently, MM Lee started a campaign to raise Singaporeans awareness of the importance of speaking Chinese.
In his speech, he pointed out that most young families nowadays are speaking English. He also stated that if one parent speaks english, the other chinese to the child, he will grow up speaking more English than Chinese as the local environment is predominantly English speaking.
This topic has cropped up now and then, with some saying that we shouldn't "lose" Chinese as it is our heritage, with others saying that it is useless as English is still the International Language. As for me, I agree with the former, but with different reasons.
Due to the present U.S. recession, many countries are financially-weakened, with the most serious crisis in U.S. It is obvious that U.S. will no longer be the world leader in terms of finance. Who will be the next leader or the financially-strongest country?
Look at your toys now. Where are they made from? Perhaps a year ago, they are "made in Japan", but most toys now are made in China. A research show that amidst this financial crisis, the most resistant and unaffected country is China.
The rise of China - the country where opportunities lie, the emerging market that will overtake U.S. It is just a matter of time.
This is the land of hardworking and efficient people, where are ancestors live and work. Have you watched the 2008 Beijing Olympics? It strongly presented China's potential and strength.
No wonder MM Lee, the founder of modern Singapore, started this campaign. I believe a man of extraordinary vision has his reasons.
Of course, we still have to put more effort in English, but don't forget Chinese. We have seen many cases in which entrepeuners found success in China, why? Because a long time ago, MM Lee(then PM) started a bilingual programme in schools that continues until now.
Don 't forget Chinese. Listen more attentively to Ms. Lee.
我是个华人，
奕鸣， Jonah
5 comments:
Have you considered India becoming a leader in future? So why did you choose China? Is it a biased perspection such that is fits into your post? Hence, do not assume what you do not know but elaborate more on the things you know. Subsequently, made in China things have already appeared long time ago, not just recently. Please observe your surroundings more. Japanese products were already hard to find since long time ago.
I did not take note of that, thanks for the kind reminder. By the way, this campaign's target audience is Chinese who neglected Chinese so learning Tamil or Hindu is not practical. MM Lee does not want CHINESE to forget their heritage, their mother tongue. Even if China is the leader, it will also be a strong market so learning Chinese will also benefit Chinese people here a lot.
Anyway, I really appreciate your feedback. Thank You.
Publisher, Jonah
I don't really think we should learn a language for mercenary reasons. Rather because the language is beautiful and because it makes us who we are.
饮水思源 yin shui si yuan
That's the school motto. Let us chinese not forget our traditions and where we were from.
Yep, right we should not discard our chinese traditions nor forget our roots.
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