Mom told me that when she was a kid, everyone in the kampung mixed around, and that's how she picked up so many dialects from different people.
I knew Mom could speak in many Chinese dialects but upon hearing that statement from my cousin, I thought to myself: Being her son, I can only speak Mandarin and Cantonese, don't know how to write, speak also not to say very good. Hokkien also very char. And now I've adopted a European language.
It's kinda sad knowing that very soon, the various Chinese dialects we once knew will disappear; they are an endangered species. My cousin told me that in about 20 years time, Hokkien will be gone in Penang. The Chinese will generally speak English and Mandarin. If we could risk losing Hokkien, what about the other less-spoken Chinese dialects?
As our country looks west, with more and more parents sending their kids to Sekolah Kebangsaan schools and talking to them in English, being Chinese will soon be merely just the colour of their skin. I am not against Sekolah Kebangsaan schools, I studied there. But at the same time, having your kids studying in Chinese schools and end up not being able to converse in English or Malay is not good neither.
It's not impossible to find the right balance between the two, I know just 3 of the best examples of Chinese school students who speak excellent English: Alden Ong, Stephen Ong and Sharon Fong (Hey they rhyme!). Perhaps 3 of the few people whom I don't have a bad impression of among the
Just the other day Gus, Kok Leong and I met up at McDonald's. Gus described the characteristics of the right girl for him and he asked me about mine.
Me: I don't really have specific characteristics in mind but....*thinks* If I really have to choose, I would want a Chinese-educated girl.
Gus: Dei don't you go find a lala girl ah.
Even if I can't read or write or speak proper Chinese, at least I would want my kids to learn from their mother. Just like how my Dad is English-educated and Mom Chinese-educated.
Mom: Your brother and your sister both speak Mandarin, Cantonese and Hokkien. Hokkien is learn from friends one.
Me: Then I should better pick up Hokkien. By the way, what dialect do you speak in with Aunty-aunty they all?
Mom: Guangxi.
Me: Do my cousins know it?
Mom: Some abit-abit lah...
Me: Then I'll try to master Guangxi if it's possible.
I'm really into learning Guangxi as much as possible, followed by Hokkien, Hakka and (I doubt I'm gonna reach that far...) Chaozhou. At least that would make up for my inability to read or write Chinese. As much as I'd hate to admit it, these dialects will very soon be gone one day. But I just want to at least bring them on one generation further.
