Dialects

In Singapore there are many Chinese dialect groups, like Cantonese, Hokkien, Hakka, Hokkien etc. , all of which have its own special accent and may not resemble Chinese phonetically at all. Years ago before the Singapore government banned dialects from radio & television, a lot of the Hong Kong movies & serials were broadcast in Cantonese. I remember “网中人”was the last television serial to be in Cantonese (1980s?) and it was a total blanket thereafter. Not a single phrase of dialect was allowed. It was that strict (paranoid in my opinion).

To give credit to the government, I acknowledge that by banning dialects outright, it allowed Chinese to become the standard language for the Chinese masses. It became apparently so probably 10 to 15 years later.

However, the flip side of that policy is the obvious demise of the dialects in Singapore. Nowadays not many of the younger generation can understand dialects, let alone speak one. I find that quite a waste because it means the new generation will not be able to understand anything published in dialects.

For example, I only listen to Cantonese songs which not many people understand or enjoy nowadays. They won't be able to enjoy the good songs from HK singers. Nor can they tune in to this GREAT radio talk show programme that I always listen to over the Internet.

I really wonder why Media Corp don't re-broadcast any of the old movies in their original flavor, it can be regarded as an Art movie by today's standard anyway . Frankly, what is the difference between this and Japanese or Korean stuff?!

Well, more of this in the future.