Hakka conference and purpose

[sllee <sllee@asiawind.com>]

A few netters felt uneasy about the Hakka conference in Singapore did not
speak Hakka. I do have a different thought. This would tie to my earlier post
on which is the priority.  If the priority is for Hakkas to gather and learn
about Hakka language keep Hakka language, then not speaking Hakka would make
no sense. If the purpose is to introduce Hakka culture to the world,
including some "lost" Hakka or "fractional" Hakka generations, speaking 100%
Hakka is not going to serve the purpose.  I believe a successful Hakka
conference should have both : some speaking in Hakka, while others discuss
Hakka in a common language most people can accept, be it Mandarin or 
English. 

The Hakkalogy meeting held in Chinese University of Hong Kong some years ago
had articles in English, so the presenter probably did it in English too.
Presentation in English (or Mandarin) is not a discrimination against Hakka. 
In fact, that is the only way to promote Hakka culture to non-Hakka people. 

SL Lee
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