Age proportional to heritage and culture? What the?
May 31, 2008
I just came back from Pre-University seminar, and written in my notebooks are many topics that I would write on, for the next few entries. But before I head there, let me recount a particularly depressing revelation by one of the participants. I will not release his name or school, but if he somehow stumbled upon this blog he would definitely know he’s the guilty.
During one of the panel discussion, this particular student went up to the microphone to pose a question. Pardon my forgetfulness, but his question escapes me. His opening statement, however, remained fresh like a cake just out of oven.
“Sir, as we are only eighteen, we do not really have much heritage or culture to speak of…”
What? Perhaps I’ve lived a sadly misguided life but I never seemed to realise that heritage and culture is actually dependant on one’s age? Is this guy even sure of his statements?
I meant no personal offence- perhaps he was just nervous or it simply slipped out of his mind the absolute nonsense that statement is.
Though while the benefit of doubt is given, I must lament and mourn. For age has yet become an excuse for one more thing.
Heritage and culture is not dependant on one’s age. The Chinese traditions of eating tangyuans, of “sweeping the tombs” on qing ming, those are your culture & heritage. The tongue that so many had forgotten or swept under the bed for its apparent “uncoolness” or simply not used is your heritage. Chinese language had been around for at least five thousand years.
This is your heritage. This is your culture.
Yet the Chinese language in Singapore is rapidly losing the battle. As teens become more educated and their exposure to English increases, their perceived needs for the Chinese language decreases. Yet they do not understand- knowing how to speak in your native tongue, knowing how to hold your chopsticks the proper way, knowing how to greet your seniors, these are your heritage and culture.
I do not blame that participant for his ignorance on his eroded heritage and culture. Surely he looks at a guilty when he looks into the mirror, but largely he is simply the product of the Singaporean society, which marches on without care for the past, forgetting that the past should be held as a mirror to reflect upon the present and future.
May 31, 2008 at 11:17 am
I agree it’s absurd to relate culture and heritage to age. Culture and heritage is accumulated by our ancestors and passed down from one generation to another.
Maybe he’s talking about Singapore’s own unique culture and traditions. But in that case, he should not state 18 but 41. Probably like what you said, he’s nervous.
Coming from a SAP school myself, I am ashamed to say that after years of not studying the language, I have sort of lost touch with it. But like what the Minister said yesterday, Chinese language is still crucial especially with the rising Dragon. It is also important that we learn to seek our roots.
Appreciation of Chinese Culture programs in SAP schools does give students an edge over others in appreciating our culture and heritage. If only this could be made compulsory across the board…
Having said all that, I’m still trying to learn how to hold the chopsticks properly. ;D
June 1, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Well, to begin with,i was one of the participants in pre-u seminar 2008 and was in fact one of your team members. This, i guess, would already reveal who i am.
Surely, heritage and culture is independent to one’s age. However, what’s more crucial is one’s nurture or upbringing, more than anything else. Thus, all will come down again to a battle between nature vs nurture. Therefore, i shall not elaborate on it.
Having said that, i should commend on such sharp observation. have a nice day:)
June 2, 2008 at 11:53 am
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June 2, 2008 at 10:24 pm
To double a:
Hello there! I would hazard a guess at your identity but perhaps I think I will allow the curtains to mask your face for I noticed you haven’t replied with your name. =)
Yes, it is a question between the environment and the upbringing. But often the two are too entwined for us to separate. The upbringers, so as to speak, are affected by the environment themselves.
Traditional heritage and cultures are no longer as valued in these days. While yes some are indeed obsolete, one should still remain conscious of it. Understanding begets empathy.
Does it mean, however, that the guilty (the teens themselves) are no longer guilty, for it is ACTUALLY the environment or upbringing that is to be blamed?
“Because in this society those values are things of the past, and no longer valued”
Is that even an excuse? No it isn’t. Spoon-feeding ends at the age of three, some even before. It is up to the teen to conduct his or her own lesson- one that is self-directed and self-motivated.
Because studying should not be limited to classrooms. Because studying should be lifelong.
Sadly, as the student had perfectly shown, this is no longer a virtue encouraged. Studying, to many, starts and ends in the classroom.
And that, by itself, is a sign of an un-innovating mind.
This world that we lived in now has progressed to such BECAUSE of innovating minds. Minds of people who dared stand out to question and to think. To empathise and to understand.
Is it any wonder Singapore might score high in terms of finance, but fail terribly at “happiness level”? How to be happy when our very society does not encourage innovation, independent thinking? How to be happy when our very own society depends on people with the ant mentality i.e. do things without thinking?
June 3, 2008 at 5:55 pm
I loved this post and this blog.
THANK YOU
June 7, 2008 at 11:14 am
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