SPEECH BY PRIME MINISTER GOH CHOK TONG AT THE LAUNCH OF THE
SPEAK GOOD ENGLISH MOVEMENT ON SATURDAY, 29 APRIL 2000, AT THE
INSTITUTE OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION (ITE) HEADQUARTERS AUDITORIUM,
DOVER DRIVE, AT 10.30 AM
Last year, in my National Day Rally speech I highlighted the
problems that will arise if Singaporeans continue to speak Singlish
instead of good English. This sparked off a spirited debate. The
debate was useful. It raised awareness of a language situation
which we all had come to accept as normal. Some supported the need
to speak good English but others defended the place of Singlish in
our society. Some said that Singlish, with its smattering of
Chinese and Malay words, is unique to Singapore. Singlish allows us
to identify each other as Singaporeans.
If Singlish were only &a smattering of Chinese and Malay
words", there would be no problem. Unfortunately, this is not the
case. Singlish uses Chinese syntax and Singlish speakers often use
literal translations of Chinese phrases. This means that the
sentences are not only ungrammatical and truncated but often
incomprehensible, especially to foreigners.
Classic examples would be: "You got money, sure can buy one." or,
"This is my one" derived from "zhe shi wo de" .
so...singlish ISNT an accent. ur right [email protected]
