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Language
• Language is not only used for communication purposes but it also disseminates information about our ancestors ’ lives and passes on the knowledge that they had gained .
• For example , there are words to differentiate between cooked rice and uncooked rice in most Asian languages , unlike English . This shows that Rice was used as a staple food in Asia .
• Similarly , the Eskimos have many different terms to refer to different types of snow unlike Tamil . This is due to the geographical location of Tamil speakers who are less likely to experience snow unlike the Eskimos who are more likely to experience snow most part of their lives .
• Language families also play a part in imparting knowledge about a land ’ s history .
• For example , by tracking the Dravidian language family where Tamil hails from , we would also realise that Dravidian languages had not been restricted to South India alone . A Dravidian language known as Brahui which can also be found in the region of Pakistan and Afghanistan proves this ( Krishnamurti , 2003 ).
• Creation of new varieties of a language or even the blending of languages leads to a formation of a Creole language .
• Creole languages refers to a language created by a mixture of languages . This occurs when groups of people without a common language have the need to communicate . Soon , their childrens will start learning it as their first language ( Mufwene , 2007,2008 ).
• Language varies across diasporic communities as well . Living in a multilingual hub , we would have had the opportunity to notice the differences between Bahasa Melayu and Bahasa Indonesia , Singaporean Tamil and ‘ Indian ’ Tamil , ‘ PRC Mandarin ’ and Singaporean Mandarin .
• These differences may be due to the different experiences of the different speakers of the same language .
Topic of Interest : How else can we preserve our cultural elements in order to educate and raise awareness on Tamil Language and Culture for the future generations ?
CASE STUDY : Tamil Digital Heritage Project
• As a gift to the nation on its 50 th birthday , the Tamil community had presented a digitalised collection of Tamil poems , short stories , novels , plays and literary essays written since our independence .
• This collection allows not only Singaporean locals but the worldwide Tamil readers to access these literary treasures by our very own Singaporean writers .
• A literary book not only quenches the immense thirst for Tamil literature but also allows the reader to know about the different time periods or situations in which the literary work was written in . Thus , a slightly varied Tamil language and culture of Singaporean Tamils is communicated to the worldwide audience .
• Superior to the hard copy of a Tamil literary book which mostly remains within our island , the digital version of the literary work allows it to reach a wider audience .
• With a generation growing up with the digital world , this project had been aptly set .
• Being a pioneer in digitalising Tamil books , we have set a path for the future generations of the various diasporic and non-diasporic Tamil communities to follow . A path which would ensure preservation of Tamil literature .
• Benefits : Reduces wear and tear . Does not have to be re-shelved or located by the librarians
Well , this is one way of preserving the Tamil language and culture in Singapore . Can you think of any other ways ? How can we sustain interest of reading Tamil books ?
What can schools do to introduce contemporary stories to their students ?