Visitors learning about Hakka culture during an outreach programme by the Johor Baru Hakka Association at Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Johor Baru.
TUTORS will be sent to Taiwan to learn how to preserve the Hakka language in an effort to prevent the decline of the dialect among the younger generation.
Johor Baru Hakka Association chairman Chong Khoon Quck said the language was at risk of losing its footing in society as many families lacked the knowledge needed to speak it at home.
“The current education system also does not allow for traditional languages to be taught in schools so the association decided to form its own Hakka school.
“This is to teach and disseminate the Hakka language among the community to preserve it as a valuable asset,” he said.
For a start, he said the association would be sending eight tutors to Taiwan in a few months’ time, specifically to the Tainan University of Technology.
“The university has incorporated the Hakka language as part of its curriculum.
“We hope the group will return to Malaysia with knowledge to strengthen the language in a more systematic way.
“This is just the first step. Besides teaching the language at our Hakka school, in future we aim to spread the traditional practices, values, celebrations, attire and culture of the Hakka people,” said Chong.
He hoped that the Hakka school initiative would help ensure that the language and its culture was passed down to future generations.
Chong said the association also organised fun programmes and activities to engage with the public and spread Hakka culture.
Those keen to join the programme in Taiwan should be Hakka speakers of Hakka descent with a passion for preserving the culture, said Chong.
For details, call the association’s secretariat at 07-224 9904.
