Ah, do you speak Mandarin?

Not too long ago, I brought a couple Filipinas (female form of 'Filipino'...from the Philippines) for a job interview.  After spending much time filling in the application form and awaiting their turn, they finally went in for what might amount to the shortest interview listed in the guinness book of world records.  When I asked them what happened, they said they were simply asked, 'Do you speak Mandarin?', which they did not.

Well, this is my take on 'speaking Mandarin'. 

As far as the official first language studied in schools is English and the first language is English, that ought to be the only requirement for all jobs. If it is to be the requirement for some jobs, than all races ought to be allowed equal access to it.  That comprises, in part, the notion of Equality of Opportunity mate.  Anything short of this risks forwarding the status quo as 'instituational racism' (sociological term). 

As for those who are not versed in English, they ought to avail themselves of a good mandarin-to-english dictionary or be accompanied by a translator.  Why?  To cater to linguistic deficiencies amongst the populace is to render entire races whom are not allowed to study 'other' languages deficient.  This can only relegate them to the socio-economic second class and eventually raise the linguistically 'endowed'(mandarin speakers) as the preferred group.

Perhaps, much of this 'do you speak Mandarin' nonsense is to cater to, or is being further reinforced by, the need to cater to the increasing influx of China citizens into the country whom are not conversant enough in English to even ask for directions to the beach.  I personally encounter many of them who work at local coffeeshops - though I am quite popular amongst them.  Additionally, the past creation of a Chinese elite via SAP schools (Special Assistance Plan..went on for a few decades); the promotion of the 'mother-tongue' policy whereby one's ethnic heritage determines what language one is allowed to study in school; the grossly bigoted 'mandarin is cool' and 'speak mandarin, it's an advantage' campaigns (going on for more than a decade), amongst others, basically tends to equate biological race with a 'preferred' language and raise one race above another in terms of preferred-status, and with inevitable knock-on effects on, amongst others, the socio-economic experience of non-chinese and chinese alike. 
(note: The elevation of one culture above others in a multicultural nation basically leads to self-segregation amongst the 'preferred group' and marginalisation of 'others' as the 'cultural comfort zone' is gradually contracted to include what one is familiar with and what one has been taught to view as preferred.  Once this impacts on the economic front, the consequences become real and observable over time as underdevelopment of 'others' and the 'majority' result due to the contraction of opportunities and the cultural experience.  In other words, everyone becomes less.)

Like in the UK, proficiency in English ought to be one of the main qualifiers for acquiring a work permit or PR status as the influx of non-English speakers will eventually lead to the creation of ethnic enclaves and impact on the evolution of criterion for jobs to cater to their comfort zones and linguistic deficiencies.  As for the 'mother-tongue' policy, this ought to be thrown out the window unless it can be shown that the Chinese in China aren't willing to do business with mandarin speakers unless they are also Chinese.  There is no reason whatsoever why Indians and Malays can't study mandarin in schools and 'do business in China'.

For the purpose of cultural integration - NOT assimilation or marginalisation - English ought to be the only 'cool' and 'advantageous' language in a multicultural nation.  Personally, I do speak Mandarin, but when asked if I did so by past potential employers, I would not be disinclined to ask why that ought to matter.  And if told that some customers might not be able to speak English, I would suggest that they get a translator to accompany them or learn to speak English.  Why should I be marginalised to accomodate the linguistic deficiency of another?  Does it not further reinforce their deficiency?  And if done so long enough, elevate their deficiency as a proficiency and all other races as deficient?  That is a question any Singaporean who does not pay more than lip service to racial equality ought to ask themselves.  *I believe in a singular race of citizens based on nationality and not race - a perspective many singaporeans would be well advised to incorporate into their perspectival arsenal for their own developmental good.

As for the 2 Filipinas who were turned away, they brushed their experience aside with a, 'never mind, it's a Chinese country...so of course they will ask that'.  And I've personally encountered a few Chinese from China who refused to believe that I'm a singaporean because of my rich colour and sharp features.  Now what i find interesting is what Singaporeans might have done to promote such a notion amongst these foreigners that makes foreigners out of locals.

ed

*I believe in a singular race based on nationality as a preparatory prelude towards developing a singular race based on a nation of humanity that incorporates the entire globe.