Singaporean Mandarin Database
This database contains a collection of Mandarin terms which have cultural, historical or sentimental value unique to Singapore. These terms may be used by Singaporeans in the past or at present. Some of the terms are read in print while others are used in our everyday conversations.
Singapore National Pledge
Singapore National Pledge
Photo courtesy of Goh Rhy Yan on Unsplash
DEFINITION
Noun
A way for Singapore citizens to swear allegiance to the country.
由来
- 1964 年 7 月发生的种族冲突，使新加坡建国先驱将追求 “民族与宗教的和谐” 作为最重要的建国原则，也是新加坡国家信约产生的历史背景。 1966 年，建国元勋拉惹勒南（Sinnathamby Rajaratnam）在部分官员的倡议推动下，抱着 “一个国民、一个新加坡”（one united people in Singapore）的愿景，亲自草拟了新加坡的国家信约（Singapore National Pledge），并将草拟的信约呈递给当时的李光耀总理。李总理修饰了信约，再呈给内阁通过，使信约正式成为新加坡国民身份认同和国家精神的象征。
- 新加坡的华文国家信约为：我们是新加坡公民，誓愿不分种族、言语、 宗教，团结一致，建设公正平等的民主社会，并为实现国家之幸福、繁荣与进步，共同努力。
- 如今，诵念信约已经成为新加坡公民尤其是学生和军人日常活动的一个重要组成部分。
- 除了英语，人们也可使用其他三个官方语言诵念信约。
ETYMOLOGY
- The racial conflicts that happened in July 1964 motivated the founding fathers of Singapore to set the pursuit of “harmony among ethnic and religious groups” as the most important principle of nation-building. It is also the historical background to the creation of the Singapore National Pledge. When prompted by some officials in 1966, Sinnathamby Rajaratnam, who was one of Singapore founding fathers, personally drafted the “Singapore National Pledge” embracing the vision of “one united people in Singapore” and submitted it to then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. Prime Minister Lee revised the pledge and presented it to the Cabinet for approval. The pledge became a symbol of Singaporeans’ national identity and spirit.
- Apart from English, people can also recite the pledge in the three other official languages.
- The Singapore National Pledge in Mandarin is as follows: “我们是新加坡公民，誓愿不分种族、言语、宗教，团结一致，建设公正平等的民主社会，并为实现国家之幸福、繁荣与进步，共同努力。”
- Today, reciting the pledge has become an important part in the daily lives of many Singapore citizens, especially students and national servicemen.
例句
1959 年 12 月 3 日是新加坡自治邦首任元首就职的日子，新加坡也在当天推出邦旗、邦徽和邦歌。新加坡 1965 年独立后，它们升格为国旗、国徽和国歌。其他的 “国家象征”（National Symbols）如信约、国花、“狮头标志” 等也陆续诞生。（《联合早报》，02/12/2019）
SAMPLE SENTENCE
3 December 1959 was the day when the first President of the self-governing state of Singapore took office. Singapore also unveiled the state flag, state emblem and state anthem on the same day. After Singapore became independent in 1965, these were elevated to become the national flag, national Coat of Arms and national anthem. Other national symbols such as the national pledge [Singapore National Pledge], national flower and Merlion symbol also emerged in succession. (Lianhe Zaobao, 02/12/2019)