The Straits Times recently carried a series of reports on major cities in China. It was notable that the reporters kept using the word “hip” to depict what they had seen and heard.
The word “hip” means trendy and keeping up with the latest fashions. It is truly refreshing to read the English-language daily describe a country with an ancient civilisation as “hip”。
This brings to mind a phenomenon here in buzzing Orchard Road. It is not uncommon now to spot young people wearing T-shirts with the word “Beijing” or “Shanghai” printed on them. While most of the time “New York” and “London” are still preferable, these young people seem to have noticed that the world is changing and a little oriental flavour has been added to their sense of what is fashionable.
Popular culture may be shallow, but it often means a much more fundamental change in social trends.
When young people start leaving home in T-shirts bearing the word “Beijing”, it is evident that Singaporeans have begun to view the waking dragon in a fresh, new perspective.
In the past, when China was mentioned, whether by English-educated or Chinese-educated Singaporeans, it was usually with a heavy heart, though the reasons that caused the feeling were different.
About 10 years ago, the government announced that Chinese-language signs would be put up at the airport and other public places to provide an oriental feel. Yet the decision that seemed innocuous enough sparked a heated debate.
A Straits Times columnist argued against the move, saying that it would arouse suspicion in our neighbours and they might mistake Singapore as “Third China”。 The article led to a debate between the English-educated and the Chinese-educated in the press, with each camp maintaining steadfastly its position.
Similar wars of words concerning language and culture have taken place repeatedly in the last few decades, resulting in a divide between English-educated and Chinese-educated Singaporeans.
Fortunately, there are signs that we are fast putting this era behind us.
In a recent interview with Lianhe Zaobao, Trade and Industry Minister BG George Yeo said that the complex historical ties of almost a hundred years between Singapore and China had come to a close. He said that Singaporeans had developed a sense of national identity and could now celebrate the connection between the two countries in a more relaxed way.
Feedback from some members in the cultural circles was that BG Yeo‘s comments had far-reaching significance and indicated a breakthrough in overcoming a certain mental barrier.
Many Chinese-educated Singaporeans had avoided talking about the tortuous history of the Chinese community that had seen many setbacks. One of the reasons is that the quarrel between English-educated and Chinese-educated Singaporeans has quieted down for some years - people do not want to rake up the past and rekindle the debate.
However, a third-generation political leader has now taken the initiative to re-define this part of our history and make a more positive assessment of future development.
While the minister‘s remarks could not rid them of the sense of angst, they said they did feel a lightening of the load on their shoulders.
Of course, it does not mean all is well now with the growth of Chinese culture. The nature of our society has not changed, we will always be walking on a tight rope to maintain a balance between ethnic culture and national identity. A careless move may well trigger an all new debate and conflict.
For the Chinese-educated, what is more important is that the Chinese culture - much like a pool of stagnant water - will now be able to flow again and even get connected with its source. The future may not be a bed of roses, but neither will it be as hopeless as it used to be.
（The writer is a Senior Correspondent of Lianhe Zaobao‘s Political Desk. Translated by Yap Gee Poh.）
當(dāng)人們穿著“北京”出門● 陳懷亮
《海峽時報(bào)》最近刊登了一系列介紹中國各大都市的報(bào)道,該報(bào)記者一再用“hip”這個英文字來形容所見所聞。所謂“hip”,是說趕得上潮流、趕得上時髦。英文報(bào)章這么形容這個文明古國,令人耳目一新。
北京王府井大街的步行街新街景。
這使我想到另一個現(xiàn)象。在熱鬧的烏節(jié)路上,我們現(xiàn)在不難看見年輕人穿著印有“北京”或“上海”字樣的T恤在閑逛。他們很多時候還是把“紐約”和“倫敦”穿在身上,但是,他們似乎意識到世界在變,他們的流行世界也就有了一點(diǎn)東方的色彩。
流行文化雖然膚淺,不過它往往預(yù)示一個更深刻的社會趨勢。年輕人穿著“北京”出門,說明了新加坡人已經(jīng)用了新的視角看待這個北方大國。
在過去,無論是英校生,還是華校生,在談到中國時,心情總是沉重的,而且他們感覺沉重的原因不一。約十年前,政府宣布將在機(jī)場和一些公共設(shè)施加添中文告示牌,以增添我們這個城市的東方色彩。這個決定看來平實(shí)無奇,但卻在當(dāng)時引發(fā)了一場激烈的論戰(zhàn)。
事緣《海峽時報(bào)》的一名專欄作者撰文反對這項(xiàng)舉措,認(rèn)為它將引起鄰國的猜疑,使鄰國人錯認(rèn)新加坡為“第三中國”。這篇文章導(dǎo)致一場華校生和英校生之爭,在報(bào)紙上大打筆戰(zhàn),對自己的立場堅(jiān)持不懈。
有關(guān)語文和文化的類似論戰(zhàn),在過去數(shù)十年一再上演,華英兩個源流的新加坡人為此大傷感情。
所幸的是,種種跡象顯示,這個時代已經(jīng)漸行漸遠(yuǎn)。
貿(mào)工部長楊榮文準(zhǔn)將最近接受本報(bào)訪問時說,新中兩地近百年來錯綜復(fù)雜的歷史聯(lián)系,到了此時此刻,已經(jīng)有了一個終結(jié)。他認(rèn)為,新加坡人有了國家意識,因此能夠以較輕松、較平和的心情看待兩地的文化聯(lián)系。一些文化界人士私下反映,楊部長的談話意義深遠(yuǎn),而且突破了某一種的心理障礙。
在這之前,那段曲曲折折,充滿悲情的華社歷史,許多華校生一直在回避著,不愿多談。其中一個原因是,華校生和英校生之間的論爭,已平息了好幾年,人們不想重提舊事,以免再掀爭議。
現(xiàn)在,一位第三代政治領(lǐng)袖主動的對這段歷史作了全新的詮釋,并給予未來的發(fā)展較為正面的肯定。反映者說,雖然這些談話,未完全解開他們心里的千千結(jié),但是,一時之間,他們覺得肩膀上的負(fù)擔(dān)似乎減輕不少。
華族文化的天空,不可能從此晴空萬里,偶爾還是會烏云密布。社會的本質(zhì)未變,我們要在本族文化和國家認(rèn)同之間取得平衡,永遠(yuǎn)是困難重重。一不小心,還可能引發(fā)全新的爭執(zhí)和沖突。
然而,對華校生來說,更重要的是,原本像是一潭死水的華族文化,現(xiàn)在開始疏通了,而且還可同源頭活水接通。情況不算一片大好,但也不再那么絕望。
The word “hip” means trendy and keeping up with the latest fashions. It is truly refreshing to read the English-language daily describe a country with an ancient civilisation as “hip”。
This brings to mind a phenomenon here in buzzing Orchard Road. It is not uncommon now to spot young people wearing T-shirts with the word “Beijing” or “Shanghai” printed on them. While most of the time “New York” and “London” are still preferable, these young people seem to have noticed that the world is changing and a little oriental flavour has been added to their sense of what is fashionable.
Popular culture may be shallow, but it often means a much more fundamental change in social trends.
When young people start leaving home in T-shirts bearing the word “Beijing”, it is evident that Singaporeans have begun to view the waking dragon in a fresh, new perspective.
In the past, when China was mentioned, whether by English-educated or Chinese-educated Singaporeans, it was usually with a heavy heart, though the reasons that caused the feeling were different.
About 10 years ago, the government announced that Chinese-language signs would be put up at the airport and other public places to provide an oriental feel. Yet the decision that seemed innocuous enough sparked a heated debate.
A Straits Times columnist argued against the move, saying that it would arouse suspicion in our neighbours and they might mistake Singapore as “Third China”。 The article led to a debate between the English-educated and the Chinese-educated in the press, with each camp maintaining steadfastly its position.
Similar wars of words concerning language and culture have taken place repeatedly in the last few decades, resulting in a divide between English-educated and Chinese-educated Singaporeans.
Fortunately, there are signs that we are fast putting this era behind us.
In a recent interview with Lianhe Zaobao, Trade and Industry Minister BG George Yeo said that the complex historical ties of almost a hundred years between Singapore and China had come to a close. He said that Singaporeans had developed a sense of national identity and could now celebrate the connection between the two countries in a more relaxed way.
Feedback from some members in the cultural circles was that BG Yeo‘s comments had far-reaching significance and indicated a breakthrough in overcoming a certain mental barrier.
Many Chinese-educated Singaporeans had avoided talking about the tortuous history of the Chinese community that had seen many setbacks. One of the reasons is that the quarrel between English-educated and Chinese-educated Singaporeans has quieted down for some years - people do not want to rake up the past and rekindle the debate.
However, a third-generation political leader has now taken the initiative to re-define this part of our history and make a more positive assessment of future development.
While the minister‘s remarks could not rid them of the sense of angst, they said they did feel a lightening of the load on their shoulders.
Of course, it does not mean all is well now with the growth of Chinese culture. The nature of our society has not changed, we will always be walking on a tight rope to maintain a balance between ethnic culture and national identity. A careless move may well trigger an all new debate and conflict.
For the Chinese-educated, what is more important is that the Chinese culture - much like a pool of stagnant water - will now be able to flow again and even get connected with its source. The future may not be a bed of roses, but neither will it be as hopeless as it used to be.
（The writer is a Senior Correspondent of Lianhe Zaobao‘s Political Desk. Translated by Yap Gee Poh.）
當(dāng)人們穿著“北京”出門● 陳懷亮
《海峽時報(bào)》最近刊登了一系列介紹中國各大都市的報(bào)道,該報(bào)記者一再用“hip”這個英文字來形容所見所聞。所謂“hip”,是說趕得上潮流、趕得上時髦。英文報(bào)章這么形容這個文明古國,令人耳目一新。
北京王府井大街的步行街新街景。
這使我想到另一個現(xiàn)象。在熱鬧的烏節(jié)路上,我們現(xiàn)在不難看見年輕人穿著印有“北京”或“上海”字樣的T恤在閑逛。他們很多時候還是把“紐約”和“倫敦”穿在身上,但是,他們似乎意識到世界在變,他們的流行世界也就有了一點(diǎn)東方的色彩。
流行文化雖然膚淺,不過它往往預(yù)示一個更深刻的社會趨勢。年輕人穿著“北京”出門,說明了新加坡人已經(jīng)用了新的視角看待這個北方大國。
在過去,無論是英校生,還是華校生,在談到中國時,心情總是沉重的,而且他們感覺沉重的原因不一。約十年前,政府宣布將在機(jī)場和一些公共設(shè)施加添中文告示牌,以增添我們這個城市的東方色彩。這個決定看來平實(shí)無奇,但卻在當(dāng)時引發(fā)了一場激烈的論戰(zhàn)。
事緣《海峽時報(bào)》的一名專欄作者撰文反對這項(xiàng)舉措,認(rèn)為它將引起鄰國的猜疑,使鄰國人錯認(rèn)新加坡為“第三中國”。這篇文章導(dǎo)致一場華校生和英校生之爭,在報(bào)紙上大打筆戰(zhàn),對自己的立場堅(jiān)持不懈。
有關(guān)語文和文化的類似論戰(zhàn),在過去數(shù)十年一再上演,華英兩個源流的新加坡人為此大傷感情。
所幸的是,種種跡象顯示,這個時代已經(jīng)漸行漸遠(yuǎn)。
貿(mào)工部長楊榮文準(zhǔn)將最近接受本報(bào)訪問時說,新中兩地近百年來錯綜復(fù)雜的歷史聯(lián)系,到了此時此刻,已經(jīng)有了一個終結(jié)。他認(rèn)為,新加坡人有了國家意識,因此能夠以較輕松、較平和的心情看待兩地的文化聯(lián)系。一些文化界人士私下反映,楊部長的談話意義深遠(yuǎn),而且突破了某一種的心理障礙。
在這之前,那段曲曲折折,充滿悲情的華社歷史,許多華校生一直在回避著,不愿多談。其中一個原因是,華校生和英校生之間的論爭,已平息了好幾年,人們不想重提舊事,以免再掀爭議。
現(xiàn)在,一位第三代政治領(lǐng)袖主動的對這段歷史作了全新的詮釋,并給予未來的發(fā)展較為正面的肯定。反映者說,雖然這些談話,未完全解開他們心里的千千結(jié),但是,一時之間,他們覺得肩膀上的負(fù)擔(dān)似乎減輕不少。
華族文化的天空,不可能從此晴空萬里,偶爾還是會烏云密布。社會的本質(zhì)未變,我們要在本族文化和國家認(rèn)同之間取得平衡,永遠(yuǎn)是困難重重。一不小心,還可能引發(fā)全新的爭執(zhí)和沖突。
然而,對華校生來說,更重要的是,原本像是一潭死水的華族文化,現(xiàn)在開始疏通了,而且還可同源頭活水接通。情況不算一片大好,但也不再那么絕望。