Languages for Thought

Read this article in The Straits Times Interactive today titled "Passing on the Chinese Language" which is actually a speech made by Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew last Saturday. Full article can be viewed here.

Anyway, here is an excerpt of the speech : "Nevertheless we have succeeded in creating an English-speaking younger generation who can speak Mandarin as a second language, though not at the standard of English or Mandarin that we are aiming for." - referring to how Singlish and Chinglish came about?

So, that brings me to ask this question : Are Singaporeans generally 东不成 西不就?

双语政策一直是我们教育制度的一大卖点。有时竟觉得是一种反讽。身为双语政策下的产物，中英语言的表达能力与掌握两语的深奥度有限,并时更觉得自己是文化上的浮萍。语言毕竟不是文化的全部,单凭掌握东西方语不足以掌握深度的文化，结果只是东西方都不着边。这该是新加坡人的荣耀还是尴尬呢？