Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong said in a response to a parliamentary question by Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Eugene Tan, that the National Heritage Board gives out grants to some clan associations for heritage preservation and to promote the use of dialect.
Singaporeans who want to improve their spoken dialects can also attend classes organised by these associations.
The state of Chinese dialects and and their sustainability in an environment that is increasingly more English-speaking was also questioned and Mr. Wong responded by saying that Chinese dialects are part of the Chinese Singaporean culture and heritage — recognising that they are still used in places like hawker centers, getai or ‘outdoor singing performances’ and markets.
The National Library Board’s (NLB) library in Chinatown also has a section containing Chinese arts and culture materials ranging from opera videos and nursery rhymes to audio recordings and stories and films offered by its partner Rediffusion.
Mr. Wong added that the efforts taken will ensure that future generations will be able to access the rich culture and heritage of Chinese Singaporeans.
Source: Channel NewsAsia
Photo: Khalzuri Yazid
