15位温州人温州话的使用与导因分析 = The Devil’s Language in Singapore: Usage and Factors

Abstract

Wenzhouren (温州人) is one of the minority dialect groups among Singaporean Chinese. Little research has been conducted on this minority dialect group and none on the sociolinguistics of its dialect in Singapore. To fill this gap and to provide the foundation for future research and implementation of effective language policies regarding Wenzhouhua（温州话）, this paper aims to find out the current usage of the dialect and the factors - as perceived by the speakers - affecting its usage. The current usage will be determined through answering three questions: who uses Wenzhouhua, where is it used and to whom is it used? Through the semi-structured interviews with 15 Singapore Wenzhouren, we found out that those who were below the age of 30 were unable to speak the dialect at all. The dialect is, and has been, used only at homes and in the Wenzhou Clan Association, but it has lost its position as the main language used in these domains. The dialect is generally spoken between and among the grandparents’ and the parents’ generation, but never with the children’s generation. Such findings were consistent with the participation results. According to the Expanded Graded Intergenerational of Disruption Scale, Wenzhounese dialect seems to be moribund. Three recurring causes of the dialect’s endangerment brought up by the interviewees are namely, the difficulty in learning the dialect, inter-dialect group marriage, and small speaker population. The validity of such claims and the impact of the factors were analysed. The vicious cycle of small population, low function and unwillingness to learn, if left unbroken, would ultimately lead to Wenzhouhua’s death in Singapore. Wenzhouren (温州人) is one of the minority dialect groups among Singaporean Chinese. Little research has been conducted on this minority dialect group and none on the sociolinguistics of its dialect in Singapore. To fill this gap and to provide the foundation for future research and implementation of effective language policies regarding Wenzhouhua（温州话）, this paper aims to find out the current usage of the dialect and the factors - as perceived by the speakers - affecting its usage. The current usage will be determined through answering three questions: who uses Wenzhouhua, where is it used and to whom is it used? Through the semi-structured interviews with 15 Singapore Wenzhouren, we found out that those who were below the age of 30 were unable to speak the dialect at all. The dialect is, and has been, used only at homes and in the Wenzhou Clan Association, but it has lost its position as the main language used in these domains. The dialect is generally spoken between and among the grandparents’ and the parents’ generation, but never with the children’s generation. Such findings were consistent with the participation results. According to the Expanded Graded Intergenerational of Disruption Scale, Wenzhounese dialect seems to be moribund. Three recurring causes of the dialect’s endangerment brought up by the interviewees are namely, the difficulty in learning the dialect, inter-dialect group marriage, and small speaker population. The validity of such claims and the impact of the factors were analysed. The vicious cycle of small population, low function and unwillingness to learn, if left unbroken, would ultimately lead to Wenzhouhua’s death in Singapore.