Speak Mandarin Campaign returns to promote language through culture
Posted: 06 July 2010 1231 hrs
The Speak Mandarin Campaign returns for the 31st year, with the
focus again on promoting the language through culture.
This includes the return of its series of TV commercials featuring
children of different races speaking in Mandarin to highlight the wide
reach of the language.
The advertisements made their debut in 2009, drawing mixed reactions
from the public.
Some thought they showed that anyone could learn the language but others
took issue with the fact that the commercials featured mainly Caucasian
faces and had little relevance to the population mix here.
Also returning for its second year is the Chinese Challenge, an online
contest that tests one's knowledge of the Chinese culture and language.
Last year, 15,000 people took part in the contest.
This year, the competition has been extended to encourage more student
participation.
Details can be found online at www.thechinesechallenge.sg. - CNA/jm