Launch of Penang Hokkien Dictionary and YouTube Channel

Launch of Penang Hokkien Dictionary and Learn Penang Hokkien YouTube Channel (5 July 2023)
Courtesy of Eunice Ooi

The Penang Hokkien Dictionary and Learn Penang Hok>Courtesy of Eunice Ooire officially launched by caretaker Chief Minister of Penang, YAB Chow Kon Yeow, at the ceremony witnessed by a packed hall of Penang Hokkien enthusiasts and supporters, at the Penang Town Hall on 5 July 2023. The title of the event, which was proposed by me, was Penang Hokkien: Our Language, Our Heritage.

With the launch of the dictionary and YouTube channel, the new writing system Taiji Romanisation is recognized as the recommended writing system as it is the easiest system for Penangites to learn. Three other writing systems are also supported by the Penang Hokkien Dictionary, namely Chinese characters, Church Romanisation (also known as Pe̍h-ōe-jī or POJ) and Taiwanese Romanisation (also known as Tâi-uân Lô-má-jī or Tâi-lô). This is to make the dictionary useful to people who have learned Hokkien using any of these writing systems. They are able to cross reference between systems.

In conjunction with the launch, a press conference was held to explain the steps going forward, as we usher the language forward to be gazetted as a state heritage.

Penang Hokkien Press Conference (5 July 2023)
Courtesy of Lu Jia Chen @ Jacques Rerolle

The ceremony was covered by various newspapers:

Presentations related to Penang Hokkien

After speeches by YB Yeoh Soon Hin, the Penang State EXCO for Tourism & Creative Economy, and YAB Chow Kon Yeow, the Penang Chief Minister, various presenters delivered presentations related to Penang Hokkien. Dr Wong Yee Tuan of New Era University spoke on the History of Hokkin Migration and Business Networks in Penang, Dato' Cheah Sweet Huat spoke on Hokkien Culture, Pearly Kee spoke on cooking Penang food, Lillian Tong of Pinang Peranakan Museum spoke on Penang Nyonya Kebaya, and Madam Teow Gaik Hong, who won 1st prize in the Penang Hokkien Storywriting Competition, delivered her prize-winning story, "Which is more valuable: dead or alive?" In addition to that, local YouTubers Jing Jing and Wabikong created videos specially for the event.

The event is wrapped up by my presentation, Creating an Effective Writing System for Penang Hokkien.


With the banner: Penang Hokkien, Our Language, Our Heritage (5 July 2023)


Standing at the rostrum at the Penang Hokkien: Our Language, Our Heritage event (5 July 2023)


My wife and I at the event (5 July 2023)


Jack Ong was the Master of Ceremony (5 July 2023)


Receiving the Certificate of Appreciation from the Chief Minister of Penang, YAB Chow Kon Yeow (5 July 2023)
Courtesy of Eunice Ooi

The Town Hall was packed for the event (5 July 2023)

The Presentations

Dr Wong Yee Tuan presented on the History of Hokkien Migration (5 July 2023)


Penang Hokkien comedy YouTuber Jing Jing presented her sketch (5 July 2023)


Dato' Cheah Swee Huat presented on Hokkien culture (5 July 2023)


Pearly Kee presented on cooking Penang food (5 July 2023)


Lillian Tong spoke on the Nyonya Kebaya (5 July 2023)


Lillian Tong demonstrating the Nyonya Kebaya with a model (5 July 2023)


Madam Teoh Gaik Hong presented her prize-winning story (5 July 2023)


I deliver the presentation on Creating an Effective Writing System for Penang Hokkien (5 July 2023)
Courtesy of Eunice Ooi

Friends and Family members at the event

My friends and family members came out in force to support me on that day. Here are photos with some of them.

With Mr Rosli Bin Haji Noor, the Penang State Heritage Commissioner who organised this event (5 July 2023)


Peter Chiew, Ewe Cheng and Freddy Tye, with my wife and me (5 July 2023)


With Peter Yeoh, Petals Stacey Denis, Albert Tan, Robert Teh, and another friend (5 July 2023)


With Tan Choon Hoe, Wincent Liang and Yen Tan (5 July 2023)


With Albert Tan and Tan Choon Hoe (5 July 2023)


With members of Penang Tour Guide Association, including Yeap Peng Hoe and Gillian Oon (5 July 2023)


With my former secondary classmate Phang Kian Peng and his wife (5 July 2023)


With current president of Penang Tourist Guide Association, Clement Liang (5 July 2023)


With Master of Ceremony, Jack Ong (5 July 2023)


With traditional desserts seller, Elwyn Elwyn (5 July 2023)


With a supporter (so sorry I didn't catch the name) (5 July 2023)


With Penang Hokkien voice contributor to my videos, Christine La Brooy (5 July 2023)


With voice contributors Melvin Lee, Ewe Cheng and Corinna Wong (5 July 2023)


With Adrian Cheah and Robert Teh (5 July 2023)


With brother Christie Tye (5 July 2023)


With Dato' Cheah Swee Huat (5 July 2023)


With my brother Bertie Tye (5 July 2023)


With Lu Jia Chen aka Jacques Rerolle (5 July 2023)


With Lyndy Ong (5 July 2023)


With Lyndy Ong, Pearly Kee and Jacques Rerolle (5 July 2023)


With Paul Choong (5 July 2023)


With Pearly Kee and Dr Teong Ong (5 July 2023)


With David ST Loh and Rebecca Loh (5 July 2023)


With Frederick Teoh (5 July 2023)


With Joe Sidek (5 July 2023)


With Lillian Tong (5 July 2023)


With Dr Wong Yee Tuan (5 July 2023)


With my friends at IQI Realty: Eunice Ooi, Corinna Wong, Yen Tan, Wincent Liang, Frederick Teoh, Chris Teoh and Lee Chye Lim. (5 July 2023)

Read also Penang Hokkien Vocabulary

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