Are Chinese dialects like Hokkien experiencing a revival in Singapore?

In a bid to preserve the Hokkien dialect, a significant donation of S$1.85 million (US$1.44 million) has been made by the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan to the Nanyang Technological University (NTU). This donation, made on the occasion of the organisation's 185th anniversary, will support students with special educational needs and fund research at NTU's Chinese Heritage Centre.

The research at the Chinese Heritage Centre will focus on Chinese dialect groups, specifically Hokkien. The aim is to foster a deeper understanding of dialect heritage, identity, and history in multicultural societies. Professor Edwin Thumboo, who supported the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan in the donation campaign, stated that the fields of linguistics and cultural studies will be particularly benefited.

Catherine Shih, a freelance carer, shares the same sentiments. She is raising her four-year-old daughter, Emma Choo, to learn Hokkien in addition to Mandarin and English. Shih believes that if Hokkien is not passed down to the younger generation, they will forget their roots. This belief stems from the loss of her Hokkien-speaking mother and her father's development of dementia.

Emma Choo is already demonstrating her ability to greet people in Hokkien, a testament to her mother's efforts. Shih views Hokkien as an important part of her cultural heritage and believes that it is more intimate than Mandarin, especially when speaking to the elderly.

The usage of Hokkien has declined significantly among young people in Singapore in recent years. This decline concerns Shih, who is worried that the younger generation is forgetting their heritage. She is not alone in this concern. The Singapore Hokkien Huay Kian's efforts to preserve the dialect are a reflection of this shared sentiment.

The donation from the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan will also be used to support research on Chinese dialect groups, particularly Hokkien, at NTU's Chinese Heritage Centre. An additional S$600,000 will be allocated for this purpose. The funds will help in the preservation of the Hokkien dialect, ensuring that it continues to be understood and appreciated by future generations.

Emma Choo's mother, Emma's 52-year-old mother, is not the only parent making an effort to pass down the Hokkien dialect. Emma Choo's mother is raising her to learn Hokkien to preserve the dialect and their cultural roots. This initiative is part of a larger community effort to preserve the Hokkien dialect in Singapore.

The Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan's donation is intended to support the preservation and understanding of the Hokkien dialect. By funding research and supporting students with special educational needs, the organisation hopes to ensure that the Hokkien dialect remains a part of Singapore's cultural heritage for generations to come.