A recent Teochew-language film, “Dear You,” has sparked significant emotional response in Singapore, though not due to opposition to existing language policies. NTU linguistics professor Tan Ying Ying argues the film’s popularity stems from a collective grief over the decline of the Teochew language. The strong reaction highlights a deeper concern about the loss of linguistic diversity and cultural heritage. This isn’t a protest against Singapore’s multilingual approach, but rather an expression of sadness regarding a disappearing dialect. The film resonates with audiences who feel a connection to the language and its associated cultural traditions. The emotional impact demonstrates the importance of language as a carrier of identity and memory. The situation prompts reflection on the preservation of dialects within a national language framework.