Language use and attitudes towards Mandarin in Singapore : a study on Chinese Singaporean university students from English-speaking and Chinese-speaking homes

• Main Author: Tay, Elsie Ya Xin
• Other Authors: Francis C. K. Wong
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: DRNTU::Humanities::Linguistics::Sociolinguistics
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/73499
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Despite extensive research on language use and attitudes in Singapore, there is not much information on how the home language can influence language use and attitudes towards Mandarin in Singapore. As a result of the ongoing language shift from Mandarin towards English, the two languages most frequently used by Chinese Singaporeans at home are currently English and Mandarin. Therefore, this study aims to compare between Chinese Singaporean university students from English-speaking homes and Chinese-speaking homes on their language use and attitudes towards Mandarin. A total of 165 students took part in the questionnaire designed to elicit language use and attitudes towards Mandarin. Results reveal that students from Chinese-speaking homes do show greater use and proficiency in Mandarin, as well as possess more positive attitudes and motivation towards Mandarin as compared to students from English-speaking homes. As the language shift towards English in the home domain show little signs of decline, the influence of home language on individuals is worth looking into.