Changing Dialect of Singapore - Essay Example

Changing Dialect of Singapore Target Publication: Communications Diversity Journal Aim: To educate individuals about the changes in communication and language that have occurred and how this relates directly to the culture and changes of the land. For Keng Tan’s family, English is the most commonly used dialect that is in the region. However, there is also a sense of pride that remains in the family with the Singapore language and in remembering the roots of the culture through the use of language. Tan has made it a point to continue to work with the original language of Singapore to keep the memory of the past alive and to embrace the past through the use of speaking. Tan has made an effort with the younger generations to continue to speak in the main language of Malay. “If we lose our culture through language, then what do we have left? I believe it is important to continue to remember what we speak, where we are from and what the ancient history is of this land,” says Tan. To him, the idea of keeping the language alive is also a part of keeping the memories and heritage and of his world as a part of the everyday lifestyle. For Tan’s children and grand children, understanding the language isn’t one that they rebel against and often find that the extra dialect helps them to stay ahead in their own thinking. “Even though we learn English in school, we like having the Malay dialect as a part of our upbringing. It makes us feel unique and like we are truly from Singapore,” says Tan’s grandchild. This attitude is one that many who are able to speak in two dialects carry with them as they progress forward with the understanding of different dialects. The languages of Singapore have undergone changes through every generation, even though they are kept alive through stories such as Tan. English is now recognized as the main language of the land, specifically because of the colonialization that took place in the 1820s by James Cook. However, there is also an influence of Mandarin, Chinese and Indian dialects, all which have come from the several who have migrated to Singapore through time. This is combined with the main dialect of Malay which is spoken by those who are considered as native to the land. The mixture of languages has led to the four main dialects of English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil becoming the main dialects of the island. It is not only the recognition of the four main dialects that influences the diversity of Singapore. While it is a small island, the influx of immigration into the land and the philosophies, such as what Tan has, continue to alter the dialects which are spoken in various regions. For instance, the recognition of Mandarin Chinese as a dialect is only one of several ethnic ways of speaking that are in the region. When visiting Singapore, you will note that Hokkien, Teochew, Hakka, Hainanese and Cantonese are also spoken among households. No more than 10 -20% speak these languages and most is recognized in the home; however, the strong traditions keep the dialects such as these strong and alive (Chan, 2009). The alterations of dialect have also led to a creation of mixtures of each of the languages. A combination of English and Malay, for instance, is commonly heard among locals when they are working to converse among others who know more English. This is a common practice of those in the region, specifically with older generations who have not been educated with the formal applications of English in the nation. The split of languages is known to have occurred specifically with waves of immigration which occurred from the 1800s. The beginning of the Malays and the structure of Singapore as a country was one which was noted as the dominant culture through this time. Ancient beliefs were kept during this time as well as patterns for economic trade and village life. While there were some fluctuations in Arabic and immigrants from other lands, most adapted to the Malay traditions and way of living. It was from the 1800s – 1900s that the ancient structure of Singapore began to change, beginning with the colonial intentions of James Cook. By the 1900s, Singapore had become a center for trade and exploitation of foreign substances which could be sent to the West. The division led to classifications of Malays from Europeans. More important, the European approach to colonizing the land and moving into an industrial city led to an increase of immigrants from China and India. All were led to the region for cheap labor and to increase the production of natural resources in the land. Most Malays were separated from the land and were unable to stop the invasion that occurred during this time (Romaine, 2004). Each of these has led to the current conditions and diversity of Singapore. The strongest population is now with Chinese, with over 77% belonging to China, 14% that are Malays and 11% that are Indian. There are many which believe that the original ethnicity of the land is China with others focusing on the understanding that Singapore has become a multilingual land that is based on diversity (Hong, 2004). It is from this transition that families such as those that come from Tan are interested in keeping the Malay language alive in the home. “There is no education for the natives that are from Singapore. There isn’t a way to teach what once belonged to this land. The immigrants, changes to the industry, all have taken away what I was taught from past generations. How will our children gain back what was a part of this land? The only way is to keep alive the culture, the language and the things that are a part of the identity of this land,” says Tan. While he believes that the change isn’t one that is for the worse, there is also the need to create a stronger affiliation with the roots of the land while keeping alive what is left of the past. For others that have migrated to the land for work, is a different story about the land of Singapore and the language of the land. Most are unfamiliar with the native language of Malay and are not able to hear it spoken. Others have kept their own roots and traditions alive, specifically because of the same beliefs as Tan. When asking families that come from a Chinese decent, the same story applies of keeping the family traditions alive. Most believe that there is a need to keep the dialect open so their children and grandchildren can continue to understand the meaning of belonging to their own culture, even while in Singapore. It is not only the main languages which are spoken, but also the extra changes which have been made within the land that add into the spoken dialects. For instance, the movement of Indians into the region has also altered the dialects and available language for those in the area. Specifically, the South Indian language of Tamil has impacted the movement of Singapore and the use of language. While only 11% speak this language, it remains a strong influence in pockets of Singapore. The language of Tamil and the smaller dialects play a large role in keeping the growth and diversity of Singapore as a main component of the region. The difference in dialect is one that doesn’t cause controversy or division. However, most note that there is both a sense of diversity and the need to hold onto tradition. Tan also recognizes this with his observation of Tamil and the growth of diversity. “It’s not that there is an opposition to someone who doesn’t speak Malay or only speaks English,” he says. “It’s that we have to recognize that we all come from different cultures and backgrounds. If that is not kept alive, then what will we have to offer the future generations?” It is Tan’s attitude toward keeping the future generations alive that also impacts the diversity and those who are a part of the minority in Singapore. While there is a smaller percentage that speaks Tamil, for instance, there is a space that has been developed for the dialect and the language. It is not only the embracing of the main languages which is noted in the region. Associations with the culture, holidays, continuous practices from the land and the immigrants developing communities are also allowing for more association with the region. This is providing even more development and diversity to open Singapore and to welcome not only new dialects, but also preservation of cultures as a main practice of the region. The attitude of those in Singapore is one that invites diversity, specifically which is heard through the language. The dialect that has changed the land is one which is directly related to the history of the region. When looking at families such as Tan, there is an understanding that as the dialect is kept alive, so are the family traditions and beliefs that are a part of the culture. Those who know the traditions of Singapore are able to relate directly to this by keeping the language and the culture that has always been known to the land, alive. References Chan, Leong Koon. (2009). “Envisioning Chinese Identity and Managing Multiculturalism in Singapore.” University of New South Wales. Hong, Liu, Sin Wong. (2004). Singapore Chinese Society in Transition: Business, Politics, and Socioeconomic Change. Peter Lang Publishing. Romaine, Suzanne. (2004). The Bilingual and Multilingual Community. The Handbook of Bilingualism Oxford: Blackwell Read More