THE younger generation in Penang should communicate more in Hokkien to ensure that the dialect can be preserved from one generation to another.
Caretaker Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said he noticed that the younger generation nowadays is not used to using the dialect and only uses it to communicate with their close family members or relatives.
“This is worrying as the Hokkien dialect is threatened with ‘extinction’ among the younger generation.
“The success of promoting Mandarin as the official language for Chinese also has left a negative impact on other dialects such as the Hokkien dialect in Penang.
“Because of that, most of the youth nowadays are no longer fluent in Hokkien. The same situation also can be observed in another state as well,” Chow said in his speech before officiating the Penang Heritage Forum Series – ‘Penang Hokkien: Our Language, Our Heritage’ at the Penang Town Hall in Jalan Padang Kota Lama today.
The forum was organised by the Penang State Heritage Department.
Also present were caretaker state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin and Penang State Heritage commissioner Rosli Nor.
Chow added that although the Hokkien dialect has become diluted, Penangites must hold strongly to it.
“After all, it is something that all Penangites are identified with and a badge they proudly wear,” he said.
Chow also urged activists and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to play their part in promoting Hokkien among the younger generation.
He said he was happy to learn that there are still interested activists and individuals in the state who are very keen to promote and to ensure that the Hokkien dialect remains an important medium of communication among the people of Penang, especially the younger generation.
He also hoped the forum today will also spark further interest in the Hokkien dialect among the people.
At the same event, Chow also launched the Penang Hokkien Dictionary and the ‘Learn Penang Hokkien’ YouTube channel.
Both of the platforms were created by Hokkien dialect activist Timothy Tye.
Tye said he hoped people will get to learn more about Hokkien through both mediums.
Penang Hokkien Dictionary can be accessed at https://www.penang-traveltips.com/dictionary/index.htm and Learn Penang Hokkien YouTube channel can be accessed at https://m.youtube.com/c/learnpenanghokkien .
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud
Video by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat