Bilingualism is possible, says Lee Kuan Yew
SINGAPORE - Former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said he is convinced bilingualism is possible in Singapore, with English as a master language, and it would be a bonus if Singaporeans could have a third language.
"It's best (for the Chinese) to have Malay as a third language. If you can understand it and speak it, you will be up to date with happenings from Malaysia and Indonesia. It is a plus point," said Mr Lee in Mandarin, at the launch of the Mandarin edition of his latest book, Lee Kuan Yew: Hard Truths to Keep Singapore Going, yesterday.
Noting that the use of English has propelled Singapore's position in the world, while Mandarin has enabled Singaporeans to take advantage of a rising China, Mr Lee felt that children should be exposed to two languages at an early stage to make bilingualism achievable.
"My Chinese, I had no total immersion. So it was a constant struggle to overcome one difficulty after another, so that in the end I'm able to speak without much effort," he said. "I think if we arrange our education system, especially in kindergarten and pre-school in such a way that our children are exposed to two languages straightaway, we will make bilingualism a reality and easily achieved by all."
Mr Lee, who also turned 88 yesterday, was serenaded by guests at the launch with Happy Birthday in both English and Mandarin.
The Mandarin edition of Mr Lee's book comes nine months after the first edition in English was released. Published by Singapore Press Holdings, it is based on 16 interviews with Mr Lee.
It caused a controversy earlier this year, when some of Mr Lee's remarks in the book on Malay-Muslims in Singapore being "distinct and separate" drew protest from Malay-Muslim groups.
Mr Lee later issued a statement saying that he "stands corrected", and noted that the interviews had been done two to three years ago.
The comments have not been removed from the Mandarin edition, but Mr Lee's full statement is appended in the book.
http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110917-0000472/Bilingualism-is-possible,-says-Lee-Kuan-Yew
Do you agree or disagree with Lee Kuan Yew's above scheme?
From young, bombard small kids with two languages and they will get bilingualism?
Any linguist expert out there to give some comments?
Lee Kuan Yew's method will lead to rubbish corruption of languages like singlish or bilingualism?
Noting that the use of English has propelled Singapore's position in the world
How the hell english propelled Singapore's position in the world? Explain leh Harry Lee Kuan Yew.
How high is Singapore's position in the world? I thought cheap labour propelled Singapore's position in the world.
we call them foreign talents yo know not heap labor. if only tyhe ministry change the naming, so as to differentiate those talents that come over here, or cheap foriegn labor. for dignity to retain we shuld call them foreign talents and foreign labor. not all junk into 1.
Originally posted by Dalforce 25:Bilingualism is possible, says Lee Kuan Yew
SINGAPORE - Former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said he is convinced bilingualism is possible in Singapore, with English as a master language, and it would be a bonus if Singaporeans could have a third language.
"It's best (for the Chinese) to have Malay as a third language. If you can understand it and speak it, you will be up to date with happenings from Malaysia and Indonesia. It is a plus point," said Mr Lee in Mandarin, at the launch of the Mandarin edition of his latest book, Lee Kuan Yew: Hard Truths to Keep Singapore Going, yesterday.
Noting that the use of English has propelled Singapore's position in the world, while Mandarin has enabled Singaporeans to take advantage of a rising China, Mr Lee felt that children should be exposed to two languages at an early stage to make bilingualism achievable.
"My Chinese, I had no total immersion. So it was a constant struggle to overcome one difficulty after another, so that in the end I'm able to speak without much effort," he said. "I think if we arrange our education system, especially in kindergarten and pre-school in such a way that our children are exposed to two languages straightaway, we will make bilingualism a reality and easily achieved by all."
Mr Lee, who also turned 88 yesterday, was serenaded by guests at the launch with Happy Birthday in both English and Mandarin.
The Mandarin edition of Mr Lee's book comes nine months after the first edition in English was released. Published by Singapore Press Holdings, it is based on 16 interviews with Mr Lee.
It caused a controversy earlier this year, when some of Mr Lee's remarks in the book on Malay-Muslims in Singapore being "distinct and separate" drew protest from Malay-Muslim groups.
Mr Lee later issued a statement saying that he "stands corrected", and noted that the interviews had been done two to three years ago.
The comments have not been removed from the Mandarin edition, but Mr Lee's full statement is appended in the book.
http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110917-0000472/Bilingualism-is-possible,-says-Lee-Kuan-Yew
it is possible. We should even expose a pre-kindergarten kid to the 4 languages of Singapore.
In my opinion, currently the status of Malay as a "national language" but without instruction medium to all Singaporeans is a pretense act. Please teach to all Singaporeans rather than hang an empty name or sing in National Anthem only.