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Languages

China passes new ethnic minority law, prioritise use of Mandarin language

It is due to be passed at the closing session of the annual meeting of the National People’s Congress, China’s legislature.
It is due to be passed at the closing session of the annual meeting of the National People’s Congress, China’s legislature.

Japanese language schools lag behind despite rise in foreigners living in Japan

A foreign student gives a speech in Japanese at New World International Academy in Nagoya on Feb 18..
A foreign student gives a speech in Japanese at New World International Academy in Nagoya on Feb 18..

Commentary

The trouble when fact-checking is in English and social media isn’t

While fake news in English is closely monitored, the same is not true when it is spread through vernacular content.
While fake news in English is closely monitored, the same is not true when it is spread through vernacular content.

With AI translation tools, what’s the point of learning different languages?

The belief that instant translation renders language learning redundant rests on the fallacy that meaning travels neatly across languages but human language is far more complex than that, says the writer.
The belief that instant translation renders language learning redundant rests on the fallacy that meaning travels neatly across languages but human language is far more complex than that, says the writer.

Malaysian Chinese woman goes viral for speaking fluent Tamil at parents’ chicken rice stall

Ms Lynette Lee, a 24-year-old quadrilingual said she is most comfortable speaking in Tamil.
Ms Lynette Lee, a 24-year-old quadrilingual said she is most comfortable speaking in Tamil.

Corporate jargon: How we went from ‘north stars’ to ‘activated patients’

The World Economic Forum at Davos is at the epicentre of global business-speak.
The World Economic Forum at Davos is at the epicentre of global business-speak.

Ever wonder what ‘bomba’ means? Melaka firefighter chief says term has Portuguese roots

In Portuguese, firefighters are known as “bombeiros”, a word that was gradually adopted by locals in Melaka.
In Portuguese, firefighters are known as “bombeiros”, a word that was gradually adopted by locals in Melaka.

The ‘R-word’ returns in US, dismaying those who fought to oust it

US President Donald Trump called Minnesota’s Democratic governor, Mr Tim Walz, “seriously retarded” in a Truth Social post in 2025.
US President Donald Trump called Minnesota’s Democratic governor, Mr Tim Walz, “seriously retarded” in a Truth Social post in 2025.

Embracing mother tongue, one book at a time: Reading clubs seek connection to culture

Members of the Maya Illakiya Vattam, a Tamil reading club founded in 2019, sharing their thoughts during the reading session at Woodlands Regional Library on Jan 11, 2026.
Members of the Maya Illakiya Vattam, a Tamil reading club founded in 2019, sharing their thoughts during the reading session at Woodlands Regional Library on Jan 11, 2026.

Swiss author Erich von Daeniken, who popularised ancient‑alien theories, dies at 90

Representatives of Swiss author Erich von Daeniken announced his death on his website on Jan 11, 2026.
Representatives of Swiss author Erich von Daeniken announced his death on his website on Jan 11, 2026.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.