Bilingualism helps young bridge cultures, perspectives: DPM Heng

Inaugural Bilingualism Carnival features performances in Mandarin, Malay and Tamil

- Goh Yan Han

Bilingualism, one of Singapore's most fundamental policies, helps the young bridge different languages, cultures and perspectives as the world becomes increasingly fragmented.

It also has cognitive benefits, while providing Singaporeans with a competitive advantage amid Asia's economic growth, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said on Saturday.

However, with language habits evolving, everyone must help to ensure the young can reap the benefits of bilingualism and to make it a part of their lives beyond the classroom, he added.

DPM Heng was speaking at the inaugural Bilingualism Carnival organised by SPH Media and held at community hub One Punggol on Saturday.

The event included activities on topics such as coding, nature and culture, as well as performances and films in the three mother tongue languages of Mandarin, Malay and Tamil. It was supported by the Lee Kuan Yew Fund for Bilingualism, in partnership with PAP Community Foundation Sparkletots and the National Library Board.

The fund, set up in 2011, started with a call from the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew to DPM Heng, who was then Education Minister.

DPM Heng said Mr Lee wanted to strengthen efforts in building bilingualism at a younger age, and started the fund to do so, contributing a substantial sum himself.