Not everything in print is definitely accurate. From signboards to newspapers, advertisements and websites, they are all prone to the use of bad English. However, because most of us are under the false impression that every generated word in the media industry is perfect, we are often misled and hence we carry on the use of bad English. One example would be the NUS ( National University Of Singapore ) website.
Note the 'I am a visitor to NUS, how could I...' . Misuse of 'could'. It should be 'how may I', 'how might I' or even 'how do I'.
In a multi-racial country like Singapore, the English language provides a platform and common ground for people of different mother tongues to communicate. Therefore we should find it imperative that we Singaporeans should speak perfect English.
However, we Singaporeans actually find it easier to forge and facilitate interpersonal relationships through Singlish ( Singapore English ). Masses were embracing and promoting this new local jargon. Due to this, the Singapore's Government was faced with a weighty issue. With Ahs and Lahs punctuating our every sentence, we were starting to speak like we were having sex!
In order to rectify this problem, the Government introduced the ' Speak Good English Movement' campaign in hope to encourage Singaporeans to denounce Singlish and grasp the flair of standard English. This is so that we can be understood by the people around the globe and facilitate better with them. Albeit why change who we are? Let us embrace our roots and be a proud erotically speaking nation. In fact, if the British can make the world accept 'blimey' as a word, I am sure we can make 'wahlao' happen.
Going back to my topic sentence, singlish should not be not our biggest worry. The problem lies with the English language itself. Just that day, my friend was telling me this,
"Clarissa, I need to locate the ATM, I need to draw money."
Draw money? What did he have, a magic paint brush or something? I sure wished I own one, we just don't draw money, we withdraw money. Can you imagine drawing endless amounts of legal cash, I can't, but maybe Mr. Super Pen can.
Then there is this one sentence I've heard umpteen times, and it never fails to tickle me. Many a time aboard a bus, I would hear a stranger behind me telling his or her friend over the phone that he or she was 'on the bus'. Upon hearing that, I would then turn around expecting to see Jackie Chan all ready to swing himself onto an oncoming traffic light, but that is never the case. After a while, it just seemed like I was in India. Where else would you find people on buses?
Singlish pales in comparison to the above mentioned mistakes. At least fellow countrymen will be able to understand Singlish, whereas the latter would make you either a superhero or a superstar. To those whose English I've corrected, I'm sorry if I seem a tad too harsh. I just don't want you guys to turn out to be another Jackie Chan.
*Photos accredited to http://poblemengrish.blogspot.com/.
8 comments:
I believe our Singlish or Singapore English is what makes us unique. If you were to travel abroad, when you hear the word 'lah', you can definitely presume he/she is from Singapore. That's how unique we are! Although I believe there should be a certain restriction or limit to it.
i guess its just in our blood.
our culture makes it hard for us to speak in good perfect english, with the govt "forcing" two languages on us for at least 10 years of our life, there's bound to be a good mix of the two when communication comes to play.
Exactly, Singaporeans should be proud of who we are. Yet,we should not forget the proper us of fluent english.
Singlish is like a'sacred' language only we can understand.
keep up the posts!
wow that's an impressive analysis. growing up in singapore i know exactly what u mean... but a language, a means of communication, i feel, should make the communicators, comfortable. As long as they are, what's the harm?
it's nice to know there's someone else who preaches good english like me too...
I defnitely do not think as Singaporeans, we should be 'proud' of Singlish. However, since it's part of the Singaporean identity, it also isn't something we need to contrive to distance ourselves from at all cost either. In truth, having had the privilege of living overseas for an extended period of time during my younger days previously & having quite a number of foreign friends myself now as well, I actually get serious request for Singlish lessons too sometimes! That said, as Singaporeans, being schooled in the strict colonial-style British education system, we need to distinguish when to abide by the rules of the language i.e. in formal conversations, instances where there might be possibility of misunderstanding and when we can let our hair down and indulge in the occasional Singlsh banter. The last any of us needs is have a front-desk executive at the Singapore Tourism Board babbling Singlish to some tourists just seeking simple directions =)
To babytomato: Exactly, Singlish is like a 'sacred' language to us.
To nicolette: In other countries, people are actually learning more than 2 languages & their english is prefect. So I actually think that it has something to do with the influence of the past generations of singlish.
To Zephyr: True to a certain extent. It depends on who you are talking to. Both communicators can only be comfortable if the other isn't disgusted by singlish. Especially since all the 'ah-bengs' are boasting it. It does make Singlish sound kinda cheap.
To Ntsagain: With that said, the consensus is that Singlish can be used in moderation.
I love conversing in proper english but there are times when the people whom we converse with may not be able to comprehend what we are saying or even worse they might take us a being too upperty or snobbish thus resulting in us offending them.
I believe that if we have to type official documents or emails and essays pertaining to our work or school then we should use proper english. E.g. at a presentation or speech proper english should be utilized.
However among frens or on replies 2blogs y bother? its much easier 2 type shortcut like dis lor. y mus type2 or tok2 so long n tire my mouth or fingerz leh?
Honestly though using singlish also has its plus points e.g. when giving yr usual breakfast order 2 old aunties or uncles at yr fav coffeeshops. would u say ," good morning i would like to have a nice cup of hot coffee with a touch of cream and a dash of sugar" or would u jus say,"aunty! kopi siu tai/cik kopi panas satu!"
My advice is to see the situation and think before you speak.
cheers...
Actually, i feel that Singlish is what makes us Singaporeans special. Our identity. Although standard English would facilitate better communication with foreigners, i do suppose we can cut on the Singlish in conversations if we choose to.
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