Can you preserve the culture once the language is lost?

This week’s topic was inspired by Diu podcast. As I was listening, it really caused me to think a lot.

When Jack brought up the question, “Can you preserve the culture once the language is lost?” I was astonished. I’ve never thought about it.

There were a number of questions running through my head. For instance: Have I preserved my culture? What do I even do? What are my beliefs?

Then, I realized aside from teaching my kids how to speak Cantonese/Mandarin and read Chinese, I have nothing else I plan to carry down to my future generation (if I were to have kids in the future).

I mean, I personally don’t follow traditions unless I am forced to. The only time I pray and put incenses up for my ancestors is when I’m in China.

I’ve done things such as leaping over fire, praying and bowing in different directions of the house, as well as burning fake money to my dead ancestors.

Yet, I have no intentions of carrying on these traditions. To me, I do it out of respect for my elders and relatives. But if I were to have kids, am I going to teach them or do these kinda stuff?? The answer is no.

Do I feel bad? Not really. I think it’s because these values and traditions do not matter to me. It’s sad to say, but I think they’re usually too extreme.

For example, women who give birth are not supposed to shower and go out for 30 days after delivery. The reason being is that after delivery, the woman’s body is at its weakest. Hence, it is necessary for the woman to avoid “wind” and not get “wet”.

I think in order to follow these traditions, you have to be super hardcore. 

Another example is carrying red pocket envelopes and giving it to people whom you encounter or see during Chinese New Year (usually to the children of the people you know). However, personally, I don’t want to be expected to give your kids money just because I know you and we end up bumping into each other (sorry, I’m cheap. Haha). It is quite normal though, in the Chinese culture. It’s considered rude if you do not do so.

The only thing I would do is to teach my children how to read, write, and speak the language (to the extent I am capable of). Culture is kind of irrelevant to me, but I feel like if I do not pass on my knowledge of Chinese to my kids, then it’ll disappear forever.

Some of my Chinese friends have parents who speak English, and as a result, they can only speak one language -since that’s all they’ve spoken at home. I think it is such a pity because their future kids will most likely never be exposed to Chinese.

This actually makes me quite sad because, I, as a second generation, already do not care about preserving my Chinese culture. What’s going to happen by the third generation? Would they even speak the language? Or will all be lost eventually? 😥

As for my answer to the question, I don’t think it’s possible to preserve culture without the language. Even with the language, I feel like I won’t preserve the culture.

What are your thoughts?

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