Mandarin and the Mandarins: Language policy and the media in Singapore

Abstract

The current language situation in Singapore is outlined and its relation to demographic and political changes over the last 30 years is indicated. Reasons for the pre‐eminence of English in Singapore are adduced and the appeal of Mandarin as the official, if presently rather little used, Chinese language of Singapore is described. The recent campaign to encourage ethnic Chinese in Singapore to “speak more Mandarin and less dialects” (sic), and its methods are summarized. In particular, the part of Premier Lee Kwan Yew in publicizing the campaign is considered, and the paper's second half compares two programmes broadcast by the Singapore radio and television services in April 1978 and November 1979 and in which Mr Lee answered questions on the Republic's language policy. One theme of comparison is an apparently increasing firmness of determination that Mandarin shall be spoken. A second theme of comparison is how much greater a part had been played by radio, television, and most especially the press in presenting language policy in 1979, the role of educationalists and others virtually disappearing from Mr Lee's discussion. This latter comparison is developed through a quantitative analysis of the programmes and the principal English press coverage of them. In conclusion, a disparity is remarked between media coverage of the Mandarin campaign and the provision of government resources to aid its greater dissemination.

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