Where Languages Meet: Weaving Unity Through Story

Loh Chin Ee

On 4 February 2026, writers and guests filled the café area for Where Languages Meet: The Art of Creative Writing, a panel discussion that brought together voices from different linguistic traditions in a shared celebration of storytelling.

The panel consisted of Assistant Professor Ann Ang Su Lee, Associate Professor Tan Chee Lay, Dr Sa’eeda Bte Buang, and Associate Professor Seetha Lakshmi, joined by moderator Associate Professor Loh Chin Ee.

From left to right: Associate Professor Loh Chin Ee, Assistant Professor Ann Ang Su Lee, Associate Professor Tan Chee Lay, Dr Sa’eeda Bte Buang, and Associate Professor Seetha Lakshmi

They spoke of their languages not as boundaries, but as bridges. Asst Prof Ang shared how English and Singlish allow her to capture the humour and tenderness of everyday life. Assoc Prof Tan reflected on the emotional clarity he finds in Chinese poetry. Dr Sa’eeda described how Malay storytelling traditions root her work in community and shared memory, while Assoc Prof Seetha spoke of Tamil as a living link between past and present.

Across these varied linguistic landscapes, a shared truth emerged: stories begin in the small, human moments we all recognise. When shaped through different languages, these moments don’t divide us; they reveal the many ways our experiences echo one another.

The panellists shared personal stories of their writing experiences.

Each writer’s perspective connected with and complemented the others, creating a rich tapestry. Their conversation reminded the audience that creativity is not the domain of a select few; it is universal, a way of making meaning together.

As the session drew to a close, the audience left with a renewed sense of how language can both honour our differences and illuminate our shared humanity. The discussion offered a gentle invitation to listen more closely, to write more courageously, and to recognise the quiet power of stories to bring people together.