Is Singlish really that bad?

maestro SG

With the govermoent promoting speak good English. It leave me to wonder is singapore standard of english that bad the rest of the world cant understand us?

Are we losing our identity?

drago SG

To me, I feel that language is just a medium of communicating our ideas and thoughts. If people can understand it, then it is good no matter what language is used.

However, I feel that the approach the government takes is correct. If you go U.S.A and tell the waiter that you want a roti, she won't understand you. For Singapore, since we want to go international, shall not introduce these types of problems Smile

maestro SG

I making comparison wat our PM made abt the cabby. roti is malay so natural english speaking cant understand. It like ask for bread if the guy cant understand english.

the british have shag, come on it is not in the dict, does that mean we have to add it into the dict b4 we can use it?

gigalo SG

Well maestro,
Do you personnally agree that SINGLISH is a very good media of communcation in singapore?
Well How did this SINGLISH derived in the first place? Izzit thru our grannies?
Well our country is expanding for the new millennium and should our thoughts do so!!
We Singaporeans having a mixure of culture and traditions, shouldn't emphasise on the fact that Singlish is the "Trademark" of SINGAPORE.

I personnaly hope that in schools they don't emphasise on speaking "SINGLISH"!!!

Smile
If you have any diasagreements. Please put it up in words, rather than in Flames...
Smile

maestro SG

I agree that sch should not teach Singish, they have to learn English.

I feel the goverment have already phase out much dialect among the young... i wonder if my grand children will understand a word of teochew ...
now they going to phase of singlish which i feel make singapore singaporean and not another england wannbe

waterdog SG

1. What is Standard English? That range from pronunciation to spelling.
For instance, do we stick with the spelling of 'programme' even though our spell checks keep telling us that it is wrong?

2. The context in which the language is used.I think - On a social and casual level, whatever gets the point across with the most
depth and succinctness can be used as long as the people using it understands the conventions of that 'lingo'. However, in business/schooling or when there is dubiousness as to the capacity of all parties to participate, then a 'standard English' should be used.

3. It is natural for a country like Singapore to develop Singlish as so many languages are used rather equally across everyday interactions. Once established, it can spread very quickly and roots itself deeply as the physical size of Singapore is small and the population dense.

A language that does not continue to evolve is a dead language - look at Latin. Conversely, one only need to spend half an hour in any chat rooms to realise that a whole new set of grammatical structures and vocabulary based on English is being developed by the new generation.

I am not saying that Singlish should be advocated. What I'm saying is that there are times and places where the use of Singlish should not take place.

Revelations SG

Agreed that there are times and places where the use of Singlish should not take place, but the question would be when and where???

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"Don't fight with the sea, dance with it......"

maestro SG

i think u and me now
singish good

Revelations SG

Singlish good meh?? No good lah, me always speak proper English one...... Smile Smile Smile

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"Don't fight with the sea, dance with it......"

blurfreak SG

Personally, I think Singlish is not that bad. It reflects our culture, gives S'pore her unique identity.We speak it cos we feel comfortable with it...I think one has to be flexible when using it...depends on the situation & the people u r talkin to....

(p/s:I'm not an avid Singlish supporter, dun trash me.......)

Revelations SG

No one will trash u what, me agree with u, hehehe.....

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"Don't fight with the sea, dance with it......"

BluErf SG

Singlish is fine for casual chat between friends; it feels more 'right' and intimate... and it is something closer to our hearts by some turn of cultural evolution.

But we bear the risk of not being able to speak proper English because Singlish is corrupted English - It is so often used that many of us may not realize some improper usage. With our international exposure, wouldn't it be embarassing if some leader or homegrown entrepreneur utters 'so shiok' or 'wah lao' in front of foreign delegates? ~ Smile

pixie_gal SG

Well well, the government's call to speaking PROPER English is out of the nation's interest! Our govt is trying to push promote Singapore up to international level to increase competency. One can't expect a nation who is SUPPOSED to be advancing towards international standard to speak in English spiced with "lah... loh... leh" rite? *SMILEZ*
Of cos, Singlish is a trademark of Singapore and has given us an identity on our own but like I say, it's an identity on OUR own.... can we survive just on ourselves? International markets are crucial to our growth and development and there really is a need for PROPER English in Singapore if we want to rise to that standard!
Nevertheless, we can still speak Singlish to our own people if we want to but one must always make a cautious effort to speak in PROPER English! Eh.... no objection on that hoh? *GRINZ*

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Do Pixies like a rainy day?
A-piping through the dell?
The Pixies must enjoy the rain;
Thats when they weave their spell.
Rain drops, rain drops
Play a Pixie-tune
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ButtWiser SG

as long as we know when to speak singlish and when to speak proper english can already

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7 dwarves got into a tub,then they felt Happy,when Happy left,they felt Grumpy

stringray SG

It give singapore a language that is truly singapore.

heehee Very Happy

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* JuSt AnoTher StiNgrAy iN thE sEa *

Bambam SG

I guess singlish is something we should use within our close frens or watever. As for occasions whereby it's formal or so, we should avoid all these otherwise we will be make a laughing stock by others...
Still i don see y we cant use singlish cos i seriously think that we r not hurting anyone rite???
As for going to international standards, we r already r...I don see y we should always follow others or suck up to them...
Learning a proper language is impt but to deviate a bit sometimes will also be a form of relaxation rite??? "lah...lah...lah"
Y should we be so rigid, have a bit of fun sometimes will do us good...
Let us be able to differentiate when to use singlish and when not to use...

[This message has been edited by Bambam (edited 23 June 2000).]

pixie_gal SG

Oh well, if you speak Singlish to your friends in your everyday life, won't it become a habit and what makes you think that you won't do the same to others? A habit will always be a habit dear! :p

As for going to international standards, we r already r...I don see y we should always follow others or suck up to them...

Wink And by speaking PROPER ENGLISH, it's NOT sucking up to others dear! English is an international language, recognised and spoken by most countries while Singlish is just restricted to Singapore's usage. So, how can we globalise when we are still RESTICTED to our own LITTLE WORLD? Confused

Learning a proper language is impt but to deviate a bit sometimes will also be a form of relaxation rite??? "lah...lah...lah"
Y should we be so rigid, have a bit of fun sometimes will do us good...
Let us be able to differentiate when to use singlish and when not to use...

So tell me, when do we DEVIATE? If Singaporean can really deviate when necessarily, we won't see so many of us actually sprouting Singlish, especially at interviews! Very Happy

True, Singlish gives us an identity on our own and most Singaporean will have no problem speaking Singlish but in order to compete globally, maybe it's time to change Singaporeans' mindset? What has speaking proper English got to do with sucking up to others? Talk about arrogance...... Rolling Eyes

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=================================
Do Pixies like a rainy day?
A-piping through the dell?
The Pixies must enjoy the rain;
Thats when they weave their spell.
Rain drops, rain drops
Play a Pixie-tune
=================================

kuruppa SG

If the word kiasu is derived from singapore….then lets make other words in the language Singlish be found in the dictionary as well. Singlish is our identity, a language that binds singaporeans together. Lets use Singlish!!

maestro SG

Revolution :
well I still feel singlish have its place in our life. True there might be some embrassing moment, but issit to say that speak true English will definetly not be in the situation.

blurfreak :
i am glad someone think like me, like theywant to face out dialect. I feel it will be a lost of 200 yrs of culture in singapore.

pixie :
my qn to u is whose standard do we follow, the US, UK or the ozzies? Unless they are to set a gobal standard which the world will follow, if not why should will follow their standard which in other parts of the world still do not understand.

The Rest :
Singapore have come this far, with the hurdle of singlish might i add so i dont see why out the sudden the world fail to understand us. Actually singlish dont defer very much from English.

jliu SG

I enjoy reading your posts very much.

Regards