Record Date

Broadcast/Release Date

Recorded Duration

Recording Language

Accession No.

Type

Format

Conditions Governing Access

Conditions Governing Reproduction

Synopsis :

This is a documentary on the Speak Mandarin Campaign in Singapore between 1979 to 1983. It features the reasons behind the start-up of the campaign and the efforts undertaken by the Singapore government in promoting the campaign to the public. It also features the ways in which Chinese language was disseminated to Singaporeans, especially the dialect-speaking groups, through television and radio Mandarin lessons, public drama performances, and setting up of committees to facilitate the conversion of street names, conversion of names to hanyu pinyin and the priority for mandarin films in Singapore. The programme also highlights several examples of conversational Mandarin lessons offered to all groups of Singaporeans, and discusses some of the obstacles faced during the implementation of the Speak Mandarin Campaign.

The programme features commentaries by various political figures on their views on the Speak Mandarin Campaign, their experience in carrying out the campaign as well as their opinions on the future of Chinese language in Singapore. Some of the personalities are: Mr. Ho Kah Leong (何家良), Mr. Ong Pang Boon (王邦文), Dr. Ow Chin Hock (欧进福), Prof. Eddie Kuo (郭振羽), and Mr. Lim Kee Ming (林继民).