Originally Posted by
quirrow
It is true that some parts of Malaysia (ie. Penang) speaks Hokkien, the same can be said for parts of North Sumatra (Medan in particular) where local Chinese immigrants brought some parts of their Hokkien language that has been incorporated into Indonesian language. The reason why I cite Malaysia as having more Cantonese speakers is that HK TVB serials broadcasted in Malaysia is still dubbed in the original Cantonese, while in Singapore it has all been dubbed in Mandarin Chinese.
Not dubbed, but the original version (V.O. as the French would denote on movies) from Hong Kong. Other than for H.K., I don't think there is any production of Chinese language TV programming (other than news) anywhere outside greater China.
On that note, I've watched a couple of new series where the show is filmed twice, once in Welsh and once in English. No dubbing.
Do note that Taiwan has Min-dialect which is similar to Hokkien,
That would be because natural migration would have been just across the Straif of Fomosa. Xiamen is just on the other side.
but the lack of popular culture in media meant Hokkien is not as widely recognized compared to Cantonese by foreigners, when it is maybe spoken and understood by more Chinese.
Reason is H.K. If it wasn't for British annexation and occupation, things would have been different.
I do have to applaud the move by China to adopt a unified Chinese language and script though as that would really be confusing for business, trade and tourism if all the dialect groups in China are used.
It certainly is necessary to build a functional nation. Mos countries done the same. If it wasn't for the adoptation of standard German, a lot of Germany and Austria would also be trying communicate in dialect (I have heard from my wife's relatives that people from adjacent valleys cannot understand the dialect of the others.)