Effect of Singapore's Language Education Policy on Chinese Singaporeans’ Identity - (original) (raw)

Abstract

In Singapore bilingual education is being promoted due to the influence of globalization, English driven lifestyle and culture have become widespread, especially among young people. On the other hand, some are concerned about the situation in which the younger generation is gradually moving away from their ethnic language, culture, and traditions. Therefore, I conducted a survey with the aim of considering how the current language education in Singapore is affecting the younger generation of Chinese Singaporeans. The survey was conducted on five National University of Singapore graduates in 2019. I conducted a semistructured interview survey on (1) the status of the language being used, (2) the activities of Chinese clan association, and (3) their own identity. The survey revealed that young Chinese Singaporeans have an English-driven lifestyle. As a symbol of that, few young Chinese Singaporeans knew the existence and activities of the Chinese clan association, which had been the emotional supports of Chinese Singaporeans. On the other hand, some people were worried about the current situation in which the Chinese dialect is declining as Mandarin is becoming more widespread due to the influence of the Speak Mandarin campaign. Young Chinese Singaporeans are still interested in dialects, languages of their ancestors. Regarding Singlish, which is used daily in Singaporean society, speaking Singlish seems to be related to their identity. I can clearly say that the identity of young Chinese Singaporeans is being established as a Singaporean from a "Chinese" identity, however the "Chinese" identity is not all gone, nevertheless ambivalent.

Figures (3)

Tablel: Sex, Age, Work, and Family Status of the Survey Subjects Tablel shows age, work, and family status of the survey subjects. The survey subjects were those who had just graduated from NUS, and the average age was 25.2 years, one male and four females. All subjects surveyed had parents (and grandparents) and siblings. The average household population was 4.4, more than the average Singapore household population of 3.16 in 2019.

Tablel: Sex, Age, Work, and Family Status of the Survey Subjects Tablel shows age, work, and family status of the survey subjects. The survey subjects were those who had just graduated from NUS, and the average age was 25.2 years, one male and four females. All subjects surveyed had parents (and grandparents) and siblings. The average household population was 4.4, more than the average Singapore household population of 3.16 in 2019.

Table2: Family’s Birthplace Places of the Survey Subjects Table 2 shows family’s birthplace places of the survey subjects. All respondents' parents were born in Singapore. The grandparents’ birthplaces were diverse, including those from Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Regarding the birthplaces of the respondents' ancestors, some respondents answered that they were coastal cities in China (Fujian, Hainan, and Guangdong Swatow city), and others answered, “I am not sure”. When asked if "you have been to your ancestor’s hometown," most of the respondents answered, "I have never been."

Table2: Family’s Birthplace Places of the Survey Subjects Table 2 shows family’s birthplace places of the survey subjects. All respondents' parents were born in Singapore. The grandparents’ birthplaces were diverse, including those from Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Regarding the birthplaces of the respondents' ancestors, some respondents answered that they were coastal cities in China (Fujian, Hainan, and Guangdong Swatow city), and others answered, “I am not sure”. When asked if "you have been to your ancestor’s hometown," most of the respondents answered, "I have never been."

Table 3 shows the responses to the questions regarding the Chinese clan associations in this survey. We can clearly say that many of the respondents were unaware of the activity. Particularly, when asked about the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations unifying oversees Singapore's Chinese clan associations as a federation, none of responders know the existence of this organization itself, except that one of the respondents was concerned that the organization would deepen relations between China and Singapore.

Table 3 shows the responses to the questions regarding the Chinese clan associations in this survey. We can clearly say that many of the respondents were unaware of the activity. Particularly, when asked about the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations unifying oversees Singapore's Chinese clan associations as a federation, none of responders know the existence of this organization itself, except that one of the respondents was concerned that the organization would deepen relations between China and Singapore.

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