Singapore Tamil Youth Conference 2016 Manifesto NUSTLS Singapore Tamil Youth Conference 2016 Manif | Page 73

Issue 12: Preservation of Tamil Cultural Elements
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?
Issue 12: Preservation of Tamil Cultural Elements
PAGE
PAGE 15
73