The Singapore government has begun a series of conversations to engage the general public and find out what we value and want to see our country becoming in the future. More than just language, this article discovers that the shape of the table makes a difference too.
"Roundness has deep cultural meanings in Asian society. The respective Chinese characters symbolise "reunion" and "success" (in the sense of being "united", "rounded" and "complete") whose significance can be observed during cultural festivities such as the annual reunion dinners during Chinese New Year."
Besides the Chinese, the western world uses round tables to signify equality among those seated around the table. King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table is probably the most well-known round table in history. Today, we use "round-table discussions" to brainstorm for important ideas and strategies. In such discussions, there is a facilitator, not a leader, who guides the discussion and keeps it within the boundaries of the topic. But everyone is an equal. Everyone's contributions are equally important.
Perhaps this is why the "kopitiam" conversations are lively. Everyone is an equal when sitting at a round table. They are speaking in their "heart" language, so they feel free to express themselves, speaking about the issues closest to their heart. Language and culture are inextricably linked. We speak English laced with cultural nuances and sometimes baggage that a foreigner will never understand. Can we remove that part of us? Probably never. But that makes our lives all the more enriched and our world all the more beautiful because of the variety and complexity of who we are.
So, don't shy away from learning another language and culture. Embrace it fully and have fun in the process!
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