Previous studies on variations in Singaporean Mandarin have mainly focused on description and classification, lacking research on the underlying mechanisms of variation. This deficiency directly results in inadequate understanding of the status of different variant forms in Chinese language education. It is insufficient to simply oppose Singapore Mandarin, arguing that variations, which some consider deviations from the standard Chinese, should be corrected or eliminated. However, merely acknowledging the legitimacy of Mandarin variation and the need for coordination with Standard Chinese is still far from enough. It requires a reexamination from the perspective of overseas Chinese. The key issue lies in how to maintain a distance from Standard Mandarin while ensuring a certain level of distinctiveness, which helps to showcase and preserve the linguistic and cultural uniqueness of Singapore. Exploring the cognitive expressions, socio-cultural psychology hidden behind various variations, as well as the myriad factors such as multilingualism in immigrant societies influencing each other, using a comparative method to make relatively scientific qualitative judgments on Mandarin variation, thus establishing the functional positioning of “new style” Mandarin. This not only changes the cognitive perspective centered on Standard Chinese but also helps in recognizing the non-subservient status of Singapore Mandarin. It also aids Chinese language learners in mastering Standard Chinese while retaining the characteristics of Singapore Mandarin. It is also beneficial for the Chinese-speaking community to view Mandarin with objective and rational attitude and developmental perspective.

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Variation Mechanism and Function Orientation of Mandarin Chinese in Singapore: On the Normative Standard of Mandarin Chinese

  • Feng Xu

摘要

Previous studies on variations in Singaporean Mandarin have mainly focused on description and classification, lacking research on the underlying mechanisms of variation. This deficiency directly results in inadequate understanding of the status of different variant forms in Chinese language education. It is insufficient to simply oppose Singapore Mandarin, arguing that variations, which some consider deviations from the standard Chinese, should be corrected or eliminated. However, merely acknowledging the legitimacy of Mandarin variation and the need for coordination with Standard Chinese is still far from enough. It requires a reexamination from the perspective of overseas Chinese. The key issue lies in how to maintain a distance from Standard Mandarin while ensuring a certain level of distinctiveness, which helps to showcase and preserve the linguistic and cultural uniqueness of Singapore. Exploring the cognitive expressions, socio-cultural psychology hidden behind various variations, as well as the myriad factors such as multilingualism in immigrant societies influencing each other, using a comparative method to make relatively scientific qualitative judgments on Mandarin variation, thus establishing the functional positioning of “new style” Mandarin. This not only changes the cognitive perspective centered on Standard Chinese but also helps in recognizing the non-subservient status of Singapore Mandarin. It also aids Chinese language learners in mastering Standard Chinese while retaining the characteristics of Singapore Mandarin. It is also beneficial for the Chinese-speaking community to view Mandarin with objective and rational attitude and developmental perspective.