Excuse me? Lu Si Mi Si Hock Kean Lang

Every CNY, I look forward to catch up with my ex-councillor mates. Not so much on the little tips of parenting that they shared but the occasional thought provoking "why-s" that crystallised out of our conversation.

They were sharing about how to enrol their kids to Primary School. Good and Famous ones. While, this doesn't guarantee them that their kids will turn out to be successful in years to come, I agree that the environment and influences will grant them a good head start.

Alumni, Parent volunteering, location, Donation...... blah blah........ then, a father of three boys exclaimed that getting acquainted with one of the Huay-Guans....(a society/association formed by a particular dialect group) will give them an edge over others as some of these famous primary schools are affiliated with these huay guans.

Here comes the interesting questions...

A: "But if I am not HOCK KEIN, can I join as a member in that HUAY GUAN"

B: "Of coz not, u have to be a HOCK KEIN"

A: "Can I tell them that I am HOCKKEIN"

B: "But u are not. Your IC or BC has ya dialect group documented"

Souplad: " Can't you request to change your dialect group like you wanna change your religion"

B: "Can meh"

Souplad: " Why not"

A: "I don't think so. If your parents hockkein, you are hockkein. I think it is in the genes"

Souplad: " Har? I understand ethnic group and race cannot change coz this is how this system discriminate us, but dialect group ..... I don't think so lor"

A: "Dialect group is another means to further differentiate chinese"

Souplad: " But we are SINGAPOREAN CHINESE. Nobody (i am sure), calls u a SINGAPOREAN HOCKKEIN, SINGAPOREAN CANTONESE etc"

The conversation ceased... coz I think it's kinda getting heavy and our attention are distracted by the kids...


So WHY CAN'T WE CHANGE OUR DIALECT GROUP like WE CHANGE our beliefs....