by Marc Sim Fluently spoken by most Singaporeans, Singlish has long been the subject of harsh criticism. A pale shadow of Standard English, it used to be strongly discouraged due to an association with the “blue-collar” class or the uneducated. The government has made attempts to encourage its citizens to speak “Good English”. For children, speaking Singlish in school is not officially approved as they are expected to maintain a high standard of English. However, in recent years, Singlish has started to gain prominence. The relaxation of censorship rules has enabled the local arts scene to promote dramas and standup comedies using Singlish. Primetime television also features programs that discuss global and domestic issues in Singlish, adding a distinctive flavor to the cultural landscape of Singapore. To positively reflect a multi-ethnic society, many Singaporeans have accepted Singlish as part of the country’s unique culture. The language serves as a common platform of communication among all races such as Chinese, Indian, Malay, Peranakan, and Eurasian. Although Standard English is frequently used at work, conversing in Singlish at the appropriate moment lightens the atmosphere. When used correctly, communication becomes more effective. Therefore, Singlish serves the purpose of promoting social integration within an inclusive society. What impressions do Taiwanese have about Singlish? Most Taiwanese friends I had spoken to were exposed to Singlish after watching famous Singaporean-made movies such as “I Not Stupid” or “Money No Enough”. Spoken Singlish was found to be pleasantly amusing due to the frequent code-switching of Hokkien, English, Malay and Chinese. In some instances, as many as three languages are used within a single sentence. On the other hand, I had the rare experience of hearing local students making a mockery out of Singlish usage. Due to its lack of intonation in comparison to American English, Singlish is often made fun of. Some have even likened Singlish to an alien language when it is spoken too quickly. Any language is beautiful and should be valued equally. Speaking a language of our choice is also a basic human right. Singlish is no exception and should definitely not be trampled upon by others. In fact, there are many interesting features to the Singlish language.
The Social Aspects of Singlish
Nelson Mandela once said that “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart”. Certainly, Singlish is a language that stays within the hearts of Singaporeans home and abroad. In fact, many Singaporeans studying abroad maximize the opportunity to use the language whenever possible. It helps to alleviate homesickness and effectively communicate our thoughts to speakers of the language. Merriam Webster defines a language as “a system of words and signs that people use to express thoughts and feelings to each other”. Despite its unofficial recognition, it is neither a dialect nor a pidgin, but a language of pride for many Singaporeans. a
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May 2024
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