PENANG: Penangite Timothy Tye spends ten years to compile Hokkien words into an online dictionary for people to learn the dialect free of charge.

The online dictionary which contains 6,000 words helps preserve the dialect and is a tool for the younger generation to learn the dialect.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow launched the online dictionary, the YouTube channel and presented Tye a certificate of appreciation on Wednesday.

To preserve the dialect, Penang state executive councilor for tourism and creative economy Yeoh Soon Hin said the state government is applying to gazette Hokkien as state heritage under the intangible cultural heritage.

Tye started compiling the dictionary in 2013.

With assistance from 18,000 followers on the “Learn Penang Hokkien” Facebook group, he has since compiled 6,000 words mainly used in day-to-day conversations, with pronunciation of the words.

Tye hopes the online dictionary will help people learn Hokkien in an easy way.

He will continue to add new words into the online dictionary.

Access Penang Hokkien online dictionary here.