So long as you can speak standard English (ie, minus slang and
colloq.), we should be fine. Speaking in other accents are
reflections of the speaker's own immersion, where they went to
school , who are their colleagues and friends.
I speak with UK slangs, word choices, crisper accent when I was in
the Europe for college and more American when I am in the US for
work, albeit with what my wife says is clearly a Singaporean
accent!!
You speak the way you do so that others can understand you. In
Singapore I will speak in Singlish if that is most effective and
actually promotes an emotional connection with my listener.
I revert to Singaporean accents and word choices when I am in
Singapore for a while although that takes some time when you have
been away for years at a time.
So don't fret, more importantly, be able to be understood clearly
with right grammar and words for the right audience.
Cellphone (US) = Mobile (UK) = Handphone (Singapore)
although perhaps Singapore's choice is redundant since if you don't
use your hand, how do you use the phone, or if you don't have to
use your hand, why call it a handphone?!?
Gas (US) = Pet-trol (UK) = "Patrol" (Singapore)
Slight difference between Sing and UK versions but if you said that
in the US ====> "Huh?!?"
So there is "low-brow" Singlish (culture -which governments do not
understand, anyway who should define high and low culture?),
Singapore English, and of course English from Singaporeans who just
don't live in Singapore.
Does not mean one is truly better than another, just make yourself
understood!!
