Chinese Language Dying in Singapore by Daya Keen Tham
Although an overwhelming 78% of the population of Singapore is Chinese, Mandarin is losing popularity. This is exactly the opposite of what is happening in the world where the dominance of China is regarded as important for success. Many reasons have been cited for this worrying trend. Most people think that young people are fleeing to China to see because it is very difficult to learn and have chosen to learn English instead. Along with a drop of Mandarin, the Taoist belief in the backbone of Chinese culture has also been a decline in the followers and believers. This trend has much in common with events in Japan, where young people are getting rid of his inheritance in favor of things easier and less rigid lifestyle of the West.
Since the 1980s, Singapore has placed great importance to English. Most Singaporeans are well read in English as most highly qualified professionals who believe their fluency in English as critical to its success. It stands to reason that young people who yearn for the success of this type could only follow.
Even most of those who know the language can only speak and understand oral conversations, knowing very little about reading and writing. The Singapore government has launched the "Speak Mandarin Campaign" in 1978 with the aim of revitalizing interest in promoting language through books, magazines, and recently, CD-ROMs in Mandarin. Recent efforts in this have to do Mandarin more "cool" for young people may find it more attractive and focused on the issue of lifestyle.
