Kristang is a endangered language estimated to be spoken by around 1,150 people in Singapore, 1,600 people in Melaka, 1,850 people in Perth, 600 people in Kuala Lumpur and altogether around 5,400 people worldwide. It is the heritage language of the Kristang, Serani or Portuguese-Eurasian community and an intangible and priceless aspect of the community’s culture, tradition and history — a treasure unique to our region.
In Singapore, there are no official statistics on Kristang speakers. No children are known to be learning Kristang, and it is not taught in schools, seen on the media, or spoken in the streets. It is not used in religious services, and has no festivals today. Most Singaporeans are not aware Kristang exists.
Kodrah Kristang is changing that reality.