Language barrier

Some Singaporeans are so confident of their Mandarin that they want programmes in other Chinese dialects to return to free-to-air TV after a 21-year ban, albeit gradually and outside peak hours. The Programme Advisory Committee has, surprisingly, recommended the development of dialect programmes. It argued the move would not have any adverse impact on the 'Speak Mandarin' policy, as most young Singaporeans are now effectively bilingual, speaking English and Mandarin.

The reaction of the public to the reversal in programming policy has been mixed. While some feel that other dialects are worthy of preservation and represent Singapore's heritage, others say their 're-introduction' will divide a united Chinese community.

Since the 'Speak Mandarin' campaign started, Hong Kong serials have had their Cantonese soundtracks dubbed into Mandarin. Now, younger viewers may get the chance to pick up dialects such as Cantonese, Hokkien, Hakka or Teochew, and elderly viewers could get a chance to watch programmes they can fully understand.

The 'Speak Mandarin' campaign was launched in 1979 to unify Singapore's Chinese community and to further business ties with the mainland. To create a Mandarin-speaking environment and execute its bilingual education policy, the government banned programmes in other dialects from television in 1982.

Recent census data indicates the 'Speak Mandarin' campaign has had some impact. In 2000, 60 per cent of Chinese aged 15-24 spoke Mandarin most at home, with only 18 per cent speaking another dialect. In the group aged between five and 14, only 4.3 per cent of Chinese children spoke a dialect other than Mandarin. But one government official has warned that a reversal in policy could 'set back the hard-won effort'.

The programming announcement comes as a storm is brewing in the Chinese community over an education trial using English to teach Mandarin in primary schools, because some children are struggling with Mandarin.