Interview Results with Mdm. Heng - Principal of Nanyang Primsry School
1. Do you speak any Chinese dialect(s)?
Ans: Yes
2. If so, what Chinese dialect(s) do you speak?
Ans: Teochew, Cantonese and Hokkien
3. Whom do you speak the Chinese dialect(s) with?
Ans: Teochew (Grandmother and mother), Cantonese (friends) and Hokkien (In-laws, friends and market stall-owners)
4. What are your views on Chinese dialects?
Ans: I understand why the government decided to advocate the use of Mandarin and ban Chinese dialects in the 70s. I grew up in the era where the Speak Good Mandarin campaign was first launched. At school, if we spoke Chinese dialects, we were fined. I think that everyone should have a common language. However, it is a pity youngsters have lost their sense of Chinese dialects. Chinese dialects, are after all, very unique.
5. Do you think that preserving Chinese dialects are important?
Ans: Yes
6. What are some advantages and disadvantages of preserving Chinese dialects?
Ans: Chinese dialects add colour to our Chinese language. However, as I have mentioned earlier, it is also important that everyone has a common language to avoid confusion.
7. Are there any Chinese dialect(s) in particular you think we should preserve?
Ans: Teochew (For personal reasons) and Cantonese (Many people speak Cantonese in China and due to the economic recession, we can learn Cantonese so that we will be able to communicate with more people from other countries, e.g. Hong Kong in particular)
8. Do you think the Singapore government’s bilingual policy has an impact on Chinese dialects? If so, in what ways?
Ans: Of course, it is so successful that all Chinese dialects disappeared!
9. As the principal of a Chinese – based school, would you encourage the pupils to preserve Chinese dialects?
Ans: There is nothing for them to preserve! Parents might not approve of their children learning or even preserving Chinese dialects. However, perhaps in the near future, we can teach a small group of pupils Chinese dialects. Then, we can invite some old folks to come and speak with them using Chinese dialects or send them to a part of China. After all, this is the period in their lives when children can easily pick up a new language, including a dialect.
Feel free to comment or share your opinions with others. They are greatly appreciated.
