The Tamil Language Council (TLC) presented its first-ever community forum, aimed at promoting the use of the Tamil language, and fostering a stronger bond within the Tamil speaking community in Singapore.
Titled Moving Forward: The Future of Tamil language in Singapore, the forum took place at the Civil Service Club at 11am on Saturday, 17 February 2024.
The community forum featured distinguished guest speakers, Dr Chitra Sankaran and Mr Narayanan Velayutham, who shared their expert insights on diglossia in Tamil, comments on societal challenges to language use, and advice on how to encourage the use of the Tamil language in this digital era.
Dr Chitra brought with her a wealth of knowledge in language preservation and education, while Mr Narayanan offered unique perspectives on community engagement and social media.
It was an engaging breakout discussion and a dialogue session focused on charting the future of the Tamil language in Singapore. The forum aimed to build a shared vision on the future of Tamil language in Singapore, and foster fresh pathways and avenues for promoting the Tamil language across all age groups in Singapore. By bringing together stakeholders and community leaders, the forum sought to galvanise efforts towards promoting Tamil language in Singapore.
“This forum marks a significant milestone in our efforts to promote and preserve the Tamil language within the Tamil speaking community in Singapore,” said Mr S Manogaran, Chairman of the Tamil Language Council. “By providing this platform, we aim to ignite a renewed passion for the Tamil language across all generations. We believe that the Tamil language plays a vital role in shaping our cultural identity, and through this Community Forum, we aim to unite our community in envisioning a future where Tamil thrives and evolves harmoniously with Singapore’s multicultural landscape. On behalf of the Tamil Language Council, we would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the growth and promotion of Tamil language in Singapore. Moving forward, this will determine our deliberate efforts to take, to ensure that Tamil continues to be a living language in Singapore”.
This landmark event continues to underscore the Tamil Language Council’s commitment to nurturing and preserving the rich heritage of the Tamil language within the Tamil speaking community in Singapore.
Photos and Information: Tamil Language Council