By Stephen Ng
There is too much fad over the idea of national language leading to national unity.
After reading an article in Free Malaysia Today by one Moaz Nair, I decided to write this piece to prove that this is nothing but a figment of one's imagination.
I am not against the learning of Bahasa Malaysia. Like any other languages, we ought to master the language if we do not want to be left behind in nation building.
However, one has to just look at countries where there is only one language used. The people in Ireland and those living in Britain both speak English, but they have been divided for many years.
The Arabs speak one language, but they are hardly united. North Koreans speak English like the Americans, but both nations are at odd with one another.
The Chinese in Malaysia speak Chinese but we can hardly say we are united as one people with the people in China.
Malays in this country are also divided because of their political ideology. In the last general election, we know that they voted in three different directions.
Do they not all speak in Malay? So, why are they not united despite having the same mother tongue?
I recall many years ago, there was one Chinese sitcom acted by four adults. Ah Chek spoke in Hokkien, while Wong Ho spoke in Cantonese. Lai Meng was Cantonese, but in the show, she spoke in Hakka, while Hon Ying spoke in Cantonese.
What amazes me is that, despite having different dialects, they were all friends. Hence, the sitcom was known as Empat Sekawan.
There can be national unity amidst diversity.
END.
