Comments on: MM Lee: My insistence on bilingualism was wrong

By: fiona

fiona — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:09:39 +0000

Well, I’m a Chinese myself, but I don’t think bilingualism was wrong. I think that MM Lee should have just flipped it the other way round – Our Mother Tongue as our first language, and English as our second language. Or maybe he could just make it optional. For me, I’m still a student now, and my abilities for English is just not that good. However, Chinese is my preferred language. There are many English-speaking families out there, but there ARE still Chinese-speaking families. English is actually a foreign language; the language that all Chinese have to supposedly speak in, is Mandarin. BUT, don’t you think it’s a disgrace in being unable to even speak well in your own native tongue? Yes, English is important, it is a global language, but after all, it’s a foreign language to us. It’s disgusting to see people speak so fluently in English yet fail to do so in Mandarin. Take a good look around you. Other than the Chinese race, all the other races take pride in their own mother tongue. And look at Japanese and Korean people. They are proud of being who they are, loving that they can speak in their native tongue, and yet here in Singapore, Chinese are desperately trying to throw away their roots. It’s terrible.

By: lau hokkien

lau hokkien — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 17:01:07 +0000

I think LKY motive is to import as many Mandarin speaking Chinese from Malaysia and China if possible. Using his “shortage of babies born and FT” as excuses. I think it is one of his political strategy. Already more than 583,000 Malaysian mostly Chinese have become Singapore citizens. In order to made the new immigrants feel at home he change us to suit them. Most Malaysian Chinese speak Cantonese, Khek and Mandarin while those from China speak Mandarin only. If Singaporeans speak our southern China dialects to those from North, East and Western China they will “catch no ball”. If Singapore use English many Chinese educated former Malaysian like the Chinese counterpart will also “catch no ball”.

By: lau hokkien

lau hokkien — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 16:30:24 +0000

I don’t understand why people are comparing Singapore and Hongkong. Hongkong is a city in China which consist mainly of Cantonese speaking population. The people of Hongkong naturally must learn to speak Mandarin. In the past, their colonial master did not bother to insist Hongkongers speak Mandarin because they want the Hongkong people to be different from the mainland Chinese people. As for Singaporean, we live on an island in the Riau Archipelago. Although surrounded by Malay language speaking people, our ancestors came from different part of Asia. Therefore the language here should suit our multi-racial population. It is fair that Singaporeans study in English. In fact it is about time we change our national language to English and national minorities(Dialects). China also have dual national language, Chinese and minorities languages. I think in China they have 56 different dialects and a single past or present Chinese government want to enforce to the people of China to speak Chinese. They want to preserve the various dialects from extinction. I don’t understand why our present government spent so much money and efforts to ensure every Singaporeans speak Mandarin. Do they have in mind to change our national language to Mandarin? China did not say anyone who wants to do business with her must be able to speak fluent Mandarin. LKY once comment Singaporeans must learn to speak fluent Mandarin so that the West can use Singapore to do businesses with the Chinese. This remarks angered President Zhang Zemin. He said what makes LKY think businessmen from non-Chinese speaking countries have to go through Singapore to do business with them just because Singaporeans can speak their Chinese language. He sarcastically said in China we have 3 millions millionaire the same as Singapore’s total population.

By: speaking my aloud

speaking my aloud — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 08:55:23 +0000

I think it is good for one to learn more than one languages beside English or Chinese in whichever school they are in + your own mother tongue + Mandarin/Malay & etc etc…. but not as what he put it by ‘insistence’.. What he had done 40 years ago and now regretted. The past are history but I am sure it serve purpose to some for learning more than 1 language (not considering their own mother tongue).

everyone has their individual perception…

By: ah looong

ah looong — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:43:47 +0000

so, the election this june or not?

By: whiter than grey

whiter than grey — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:42:39 +0000

i mean their policies cannot be perfect all the time. There could be flaws. alas, where is the opposition to bring to attention their flaws, if any?

By: 10sen

10sen — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:33:08 +0000

Now the current trend seem to be pushing of Mandarin until its at the same level as English ie if you want to succeed in work you better know Chinese. Look at the ads etc. Now it seems that a foreigner from China has a better chance of landing a good job compared to a minority S’porean. Your policy MM are pissing off the non-Chinese Singaporeans and one of these days…something will come to a boil…mark my words..

By: SeCReT

SeCReT — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:52:51 +0000

Does it really work to learn Chinese in another language such as English? i doubt so.
By doing so students will be missing out all the cultures and heritages of the language!
I feel that learning a language in one’s native tongue can only act as a introductory tool, as for deeper learning of the language, it should be taught and learnt in its original language. Since students in primary school are young enough to accept a new form of language in their lives. TY

By: Hakka Lee

Hakka Lee — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:52:38 +0000

Let’ see how this de-emphaszing bilingualism by MM Lee would help his grand children snatch up key position in GLC, GIC, civil servant key posts by waivering the need to pass two langauges in their academic records.

whatver he and LHL do, there is a deeper motive sthan what the MSM carried in the press.

Remember, MM also said it is time to consider selective dual citizenships ? is that because some pappies want to migrate to down-under yet keep one foot in this island to safe guard their assets and influences ? think about it, news may break out soon.

By: Hakka Lee

Hakka Lee — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:44:54 +0000

MM realized that he is wrong for some of his grand children can’t master mandarin, one example is a grandson who studied in oxford being mentioned by pro PAP ST as a top student in Oxford, this young Lee is studying ;law, a vocal and sharp tongued young man , he scored all staight As in his GCE A and failed his Chinese at F8.

So, nobody can master two languages, but is that true ? let’s see how many young Singaprean who can speak 3 languages including one non-english european language and.or Japanese.

If MM Lee is right, what about the rationale of banning dialects ( he said to ban dialects as dialects have no written forms and would be beaten by english, resulting in a new generation of non asian values….)

So, let;s say we should stop bilingual policies or slacken it, ten we can also bring back dialects with same reasoning ( after all, without dialects, Singaporean including his grandchildrens can’t master two languages !! )

He is wrong in MANY policies, inmcluding STOP at TWO…. the remedy , rich FT snatched up all near town properties oushing Sinagporean to live at new towns, far from city.

Let’s ask, why should we protect this nation anymore !?
:

By: isupportu

isupportu — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 09:56:41 +0000

He made a mistake and admits it. Well Done, Sir. We all love and salute you and your leadership.

PAP all the way. Crush those opposition clowns.

By: bilingual forked tongue

bilingual forked tongue — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:34:19 +0000

consequences of old fart’s bilingual policy pales in comparison to ISA persecution, kangaroo prosecution, nepotism, cronyism, systemic brainwashing,
self serving governance, sham parliament representation…..

By: Yuchengko

Yuchengko — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:20:50 +0000

Nothing wrong with bilingual policy. If only there were many levels and styles to accommodate different capabilities of students. Mistake was in flip flopping and not meeting individual needs. Make no a mistake – bilingualism was not at fault.

By: foggy skies

foggy skies — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:33:09 +0000

hmm…since when did this country’s “bilingual” policy expect students to “master two languages at the same level?” *curious*

By: btan

btan — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:23:31 +0000

@119) Oh Holy on November 20th, 2009 4.41 pm

I disagree. Talking fast does not equate to fluency with the language. The fastest talker of English are in fact Indians, and some, even the native speakers of English, may have difficulty understanding them.

Personally, I have spoken clear, crisp English to, say Americans and Mandarins to PRC Chinese and both groups have no difficulty in understanding me.

Remember, language ability goes beyond just knowing the proper pronunciation and grammar. You need to also know some local lingo.

For e.g., if to talk to Americans, they do not understand the following words : lorry, queue (as in, “is this the queue?”), boot (as in car boot), soapbox, postbox and a myriad of other “British” words.

Similar, the schism between Taiwanese Chinese and PRC Chinese also meant some terms are different. Computers to the Taiwanese is “electric brain” while to the PRCs is “calculating machine”.

So, yes, we can speak perfectly standard English and Chinese but it would still make us “outsider” to the other nationalities. Much like foreigners can tag a “lah” or “lor” behind their English and we will still know they cannot speak “proper” Singlish.

By: patriot

patriot — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:16:33 +0000

To: Leesjuanpat;

hi, You made a kind and good call to MM Lee #128.

However, it is far too late. MM Lee will leave a legacy behind that’s for sure, but it will be a stinky one. Many netizens(citizens) claimed they are waiting to pee on his grave and do not be surprised if rotten eggs are plentiful on it(tomb) too.

Such is the legacy of a famous man.

Lamentable

patriot

By: leesjuanpat

leesjuanpat — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:32:42 +0000

#124 Mentoring the mentor.

Bravo, Bravo, Bravo! I hope our MM Lee read this piece of gem by you. Cannot understand an intellectual man like MM can be so stupid not to know his own destiny. No one can outlive his/her intelligence. Not even God.

Sad sad, a case of unable to let go and clinging on the last straw that will sooner break the camel’s back. Please Mr Smart (MM) exit gracefully and remain a legacy of S’pore’s history.

By: Heavenknow

Heavenknow — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:15:28 +0000

please don’t keep exhumed our ancestors graves, it like keep chopping the roots of the trees, leaving no souls in this ‘city’ – clsssic says. As we the citizens can see now.

By: Heavenknow

Heavenknow — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:57:02 +0000

Look at our inter-schools mandarin speaking debate, our top students cannot hold well in their fort without one PRC speaking in reference of the chinese thousands years history, cultures, wisdoms, idioms etc.

Not even our Media Corp local comperes can be up the mark, till date except only guo liang or quan yifeng to host the other shows…….. real sad……. can our $million education minister care to comment…..why …… looking back at the education policies implemented……and so call every speak mandarin campaigns…….why

last but not least, how many of our $million chinese cabinet ministers and mps are able to…… so to speak fluently……understand the real chinese history, languages, cultures and arts etc …with the provincial governors and central government… ..sad

By: Mentoring the Mentor

Mentoring the Mentor — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:24:23 +0000

TOC Editor,

Sorry for the double postings. Please delete the first one, i.e. post 123, as it has more typo errors.