STOMPer Lim strongly believes while there is a
difference between Singlish and bad English, the usage of both
should be banned here.
She recounted two separate incidents to illustrate her
point.
“This is indeed true and sad to find that there are
still many people out there who can’t distinguish ‘Singlish’ and
‘English’.
“Many people got it wrong about Singlish when they thought that it
is the accent that makes it Singlish.
“It is actually the grammar and sentences structure. Many
adult takes like lightly and not knowing that this would hurt their
kids in composition essays.
“Hence, I urge all adults to be more mindful and alert in this area
and stop imparting them to the next generation.
“I was at a Clinic last night and there is a woman who said this to
her son:”Ask your dad to run fast, our number is going to be
reached.” Do you call this English or Singlish?
“That is the first time I hear this sentence. I learned from
the Americans to express in a more direct manner. I would
say: ‘Get your daddy here now, it’s our turn’.
“I thought the issue is not about running to the door or running
slowly or faster or the number going to be reached, it is our
turn.
“After my turn was over, I went to the hawker stalls and there was
a family speaking Singlish saying: ‘What you want to call?’ to his
children.
“Why not say: ‘Go order your food’ if the kids are ordering
themselves, or ‘What is your pick tonight?’ if the adult is
ordering for them.
“Both incidents showed that many educated adults were speaking and
teaching Singlish to their children.
“They have difficulties in compositing sentence that make good
senses.
“This could also be a sign that their working environment is filled
with people speaking Singlish as well.
“If you were in an environment where people speak English, you
would have felt inferior and mend it and maintained your language
competency and also bring it home.
“The use of Singlish should be banned."