Because Lee Kuan Yew said we must learn Chinese, we will learn Chinese!
Right after he voiced his concerns about Singaporeans not speaking and learning Chinese well, Singapore went on a campaign craze (what's new?).

I thought the campaign was pretty impressive and convincing.

Check this out:
"Be Heard in Chinese"


Look at the white and black children. Their enunciation and articulation are so clear, it puts Singaporean Chinese to shame. I was so motivated to get my Chinese right after I saw this ad.

Then, I started wondering what makes this campaign so persuasive...

The use of white-skinned children was definitely pervasive in this ad.
Imagine if they used Indonesian or Bangladeshi children to speak in this ad, will Singaporeans still be as convinced and motivated to learn Chinese?

I ask myself, will I be persuaded to learn Chinese because the seeminigly "upper-class" white-skinned children are doing it, so I want to be just like them?
Or will I just be equally persuaded to brush up my Chinese if they used Indonesian or Bangladeshi children to front the ad?

Hmm. Actually, I will still be convinced, but I can't guarantee that for the rest of the other Singaporeans.

For me, there's just a competitive streak in me.
When I see other people from other ethnicities (be it 'angmohs', Malays, Indians..) speaking a language that ought to be my first language (since I am Chinese, though not Chinese-Chinese, you get me), I feel that as an ethnic Chinese, I need to be better and not lose out.

But for other Singaporeans, I am not sure if they'll be persuaded to learn Chinese if they saw this Speak Chinese campaign fronted by say, Bangladeshi children.

What say you?