The Official Anti-Singlish Thread
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Originally posted by trendz:
I thought it should be: Why can't all of us speak standard English?
Why can't we all speak standard english?
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i see no point actually. i feel that all of us should adopt one another's culture... like if you are in sg, u speak singlish; if you are in china, you adapt the chinese culture; whether if you are in uk, you speak proper english.
no point of saying singlish is an inferior language. i'm not against singlish but neither do i proud of it too since my command of language is poor either.
the proper language for international is universal language, where all of us can interpret with one another of what others trying to say.
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I as a singaporean will say this
U speak english in UK
U speak malay in malaysia
U speak bahasa in indonesia
U speak chinee in china
U speak Singlish in Singapore
You not happy. not our prob. we do not revolve around the world. we DO NOT need people to critise our language which bonds all our people together. You not happy with singlish. suck your thumb. I as a singapore will not be afraid to say i am proud to speak singlish then a american slang english which makes no sense to me other then making me look like a complete idoit.
Thanls -
so what do you deem as standard english? even in england itself, english differs in dialect from one area to another, even between the social classes.Originally posted by dovey55sg:I thought it should be: Why can't all of us speak standard English? -
As for national identities. Come on! Name me some!Originally posted by trendz:Singlish - we've enough of national identities.
We don't need any more.
In time to come, those people who ain't versatile (ie. not fast to adapt, know how and when to speak standard english), will get lost even before the gateway of global mass communication.
Have your say.
Everywhere you go, there will be variation in english, different accents, different slangs, why not YOU tell them to drop their variations and speak 'standard' english too?
Being a backpacker, I have heard quite a few variation in this language. When lounging, the dicussion of differences in our form of english is always lively and colourful. =D -
National identity can be forged in a struggle for ideals: multi-racialism,Originally posted by Hidden^OnE:As for national identities. Come on! Name me some!
Everywhere you go, there will be variation in english, different accents, different slangs, why not YOU tell them to drop their variations and speak 'standard' english too?
Being a backpacker, I have heard quite a few variation in this language. When lounging, the dicussion of differences in our form of english is always lively and colourful. =D
democracy, social justice, meritocracy, and openness to westernization.
In Singapore, the government has helped to create a strong national identity through schools (educating the children about our history, daily recital of the national pledge), public housing (where racial integration is practised), the work place (stress is laid on performance and meritocracy), military service (where defence of the nation is inculcated as a civic responsibility) and community centres.
The government also deliberately fosters public identification with Singapore through rituals such as National Day Parades and Rallies and other public events and promoting national symbols such as the flag and Merlion.
One of the most powerful forces to strengthen national identity is pride of achievement and identification with SingaporeÂ’s success in economic development.
A multi-racial country that reacts instinctively to an external threat or internal crisis, rather than having its various ethnic groups reacting differently along racial or religious lines: this is the litmus test of its national identity.
According to some analysts, there are six criteria of nationhood: language, territory, culture, a common national interest, a common sovereign, and an imagined political community.
Singapore fulfils 3 criteria easily – territory, sovereignty and a shared political community. Singapore also uses English as its common
language (fourth criteria).
The common national interest is what the
government is trying to create through programmes like “Singapore 21”.
One important means of creating a Singaporean national identity is to
establish a national ideology.
Eat your words; d*ckhead! -
did i say i'm not happy? we do not revolve around the world; then what is global competition? bonds our people together? LKY even lamented the excessive use of Singlish and hopes that most Singaporeans would be proficient in both English and Mandarin.Originally posted by corebooster:I as a singaporean will say this
U speak english in UK
U speak malay in malaysia
U speak bahasa in indonesia
U speak chinee in china
U speak Singlish in Singapore
You not happy. not our prob. we do not revolve around the world. we DO NOT need people to critise our language which bonds all our people together. You not happy with singlish. suck your thumb. I as a singapore will not be afraid to say i am proud to speak singlish then a american slang english which makes no sense to me other then making me look like a complete idoit.
Thanls
But i don't think that works for you; you suck in both.
please don't assume, kiddo.
you speak like a simpleton. don't portray your low level of intelligence here.
(and the word is) Thanks. =) -
Singlish is not a universal language. Can't you get my point?Originally posted by 798:i see no point actually. i feel that all of us should adopt one another's culture... like if you are in sg, u speak singlish; if you are in china, you adapt the chinese culture; whether if you are in uk, you speak proper english.
no point of saying singlish is an inferior language. i'm not against singlish but neither do i proud of it too since my command of language is poor either.
the proper language for international is universal language, where all of us can interpret with one another of what others trying to say.
To be honest, no use blasting me when you guys don't even get what i'm tryin' to say.
C'mon. flame me for all i care.
But at the end of the day; i guess what i'm trying to say may be mis-interpreted or maybe my words are beyond some idiots' comprehension..
oh well.. -
u win liao lorz! (singlish enuf?)
kum sia...
exits.
+1 -
Let's play a very simple game now. I would like to invite the forumers to tell us what do they identifies with more. Singlish, or the points listed by Mr Trendz.Originally posted by trendz:National identity can be forged in a struggle for ideals: multi-racialism,
democracy, social justice, meritocracy, and openness to westernization.
In Singapore, the government has helped to create a strong national identity through schools (educating the children about our history, daily recital of the national pledge), public housing (where racial integration is practised), the work place (stress is laid on performance and meritocracy), military service (where defence of the nation is inculcated as a civic responsibility) and community centres.
The government also deliberately fosters public identification with Singapore through rituals such as National Day Parades and Rallies and other public events and promoting national symbols such as the flag and Merlion.
One of the most powerful forces to strengthen national identity is pride of achievement and identification with SingaporeÂ’s success in economic development.
A multi-racial country that reacts instinctively to an external threat or internal crisis, rather than having its various ethnic groups reacting differently along racial or religious lines: this is the litmus test of its national identity.
According to some analysts, there are six criteria of nationhood: language, territory, culture, a common national interest, a common sovereign, and an imagined political community.
Singapore fulfils 3 criteria easily – territory, sovereignty and a shared political community. Singapore also uses English as its common
language (fourth criteria).
The common national interest is what the
government is trying to create through programmes like “Singapore 21”.
One important means of creating a Singaporean national identity is to
establish a national ideology.
Eat your words; d*ckhead!
By the way, I do not appreciate your usage of vulgarities on me. Also d*ick is an American slang for penis. If you are able to accept an American slang, why not a Singlish slang?
And finally, west does not always equals good. =D -
smlj la.. knn ccb.
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'Originally posted by Ito_^:smlj la.. knn ccb.
Chill man. -
breathed. back. felt ditzy's crotch. fingered ditzy too. blondes are so cluelessOriginally posted by ditzy:SHUT UP AND GO BREATHE SOME FRESH CHILLY AIR!!!!
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defeatist attitudeOriginally posted by SaintDL:But really. Singaporeans speak singlish. You can't go anywhere without hearing a singlish phrase.
You take the elevator, and the dood comes in with his friend talking in singlish.
You take the stairs, and you hear someone waiting for the elevator speaking singlish thru his mobile phone.
You walk down the street and you hear dozens of singlish phrases.
You... ah you get the point.
So if trendz can't put up with it, he should just migrate. 'Nuff said.
chinese this one call "bu qiu sang jing" -
German don't speak english.Originally posted by Glen999:you should spend a few months in UK, US, EU etc...
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american doesn't understand what a briton says.
briton doesn't understand what a german says...
but all of them insist that they speak english...
....
And American DOES understand what a brit says. ditto for vice versa. I've been in UK for almost 2 years now, and i've met many americans here. They can understand. But dun mean they like it
so what else have u got to say? pls think before u say it -
People should learn more English and cut down all unneccessary Singlish habits. People in foreign countries may not understand the way Singaporeans speak.
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and thats why i look down on many brits as wellOriginally posted by vito_corleone:so what do you deem as standard english? even in england itself, english differs in dialect from one area to another, even between the social classes.
btw tell u something funny. All the damn adverts here are narrated by people with a northern accent. Its a very irritating accent, sounds like they're tryin to gargle with a mouthful of mud. But why are all the narrators people with northern accents? Apparently 10 years ago a survey was done to see which accent is sexiest. Scottish was sexiest, northern accents 2nd. Seems nobody remembered to update tho -
At least singlish in singapore is understandable. I really wince when i hear singaporeans who persist on using singlish here all the time. A bit to remind one of home, fine. BUT ALL THE TIME?! *loads my MAC10 up*Originally posted by Apex-LW'21:People should learn more English and cut down all unneccessary Singlish habits. People in foreign countries may not understand the way Singaporeans speak. -
hmm... it might not be necessary all the time. Some of them went to British Council and learn English before they went to other countries like the UK...Originally posted by HENG@:At least singlish in singapore is understandable. I really wince when i hear singaporeans who persist on using singlish here all the time. A bit to remind one of home, fine. BUT ALL THE TIME?! *loads my MAC10 up* -
honestly if u consider that english is our 1st language, that they EVEN need to go to british council to learn english is already a disgrace of sortsOriginally posted by Apex-LW'21:hmm... it might not be necessary all the time. Some of them went to British Council and learn English before they went to other countries like the UK... -
Not bu qiu shang jing. Is ru jing sui suOriginally posted by HENG@:defeatist attitude
chinese this one call "bu qiu sang jing"
Dood. Like i said. Use standard english when speaking with foreigners so they can understand us. That will be enough. We have been speaking this way for years and there isn't a need to change it just so some people can feel good and thinks this si called shang jing.
And btw. Not defeatist attitude. Every country have their own accent. We have ours. What's the big deal?
Just because it comes out on the newspaper means we have to make a big deal out of it?
And just look at trendz. Just cos you can flame pople well doesn't mean people will respect you for your english, dood. Germans speak english with an accent. Frenchs speak with accented english. Italians speak with accented english. Hell even some texans speak with an accent so thick that you cannot make anything out of it. Why should we get rid of our accent? Because you're an asian trying to be a caucasian?
In that case get out of here for all i care.
You dun like things in this country, leave. You want to make a difference go join the PAP and work your way up. Otherwise what you are doing here is just starting flame wars and beign sacarstic to people.
I can speak english well enough for americans and englishmen to understand me. I've been diving before and i spoke to them before. But i talk to other people in singlish all the same. Hell, kid you go up to malaysia and they speak to you in singlish. See? We're a force to be reckoned with. Haha. C'mon folks just look. Anywhere there's indians, malays and chinese living together, the people speak singlish.
Its not the end of the world. And i will not change my way of life(speaking in this case) just because some kid hates how his countrymen speaks.
But! But! I would like to point out that people SHOULD always use standard english when talking to foreigners AND ONLINE DAMMIT
ONLINE! Most important...
You see it's that simple. You don't want to change the way you talk to locals, you make sure you make people understand you online or when talking to foreigners. See? Simple. -
my cd player broke because of oneOriginally posted by striderz_o405:Well, he has made an ambiguous statment by stating "YOU CHEENA GITS". Isn't that stereotyping?
but I do admit I am prejudiced against some china nationals who have shown their proudness in public. I have experienced before in numerous occassions. -
You guys use so much singlish that most of u can't even use standard english when speaking with foreigners alright. I think there is a lot of 'shang jing' here to be had.Originally posted by SaintDL:Not bu qiu shang jing. Is ru jing sui su
Dood. Like i said. Use standard english when speaking with foreigners so they can understand us. That will be enough. We have been speaking this way for years and there isn't a need to change it just so some people can feel good and thinks this si called shang jing.
Like I said, neatly typed letter, words spelled in shit on the floor. both can communicate, but which would u prefer? Unless u're so used to shit of course.
Singlish is NOT an accent dear boy. Singlish is a bastardazation of many different languages. The closes I we can label it, is a pesudo-language. The hell it is an english accent. Not even closeOriginally posted by SaintDL:And btw. Not defeatist attitude. Every country have their own accent. We have ours. What's the big deal?
Just because it comes out on the newspaper means we have to make a big deal out of it?
trendz's flaming is a different issue. Lets leave it out for the moment and concentrate on the issue.Originally posted by SaintDL:And just look at trendz. Just cos you can flame pople well doesn't mean people will respect you for your english, dood. Germans speak english with an accent. Frenchs speak with accented english. Italians speak with accented english. Hell even some texans speak with an accent so thick that you cannot make anything out of it. Why should we get rid of our accent? Because you're an asian trying to be a caucasian?
Germans didnt learn english as a 1st language. Italians didn't learn english as a 1st language. French sure as hell didn't learn english as a 1st language. But we're not china. we're singapore. We DID learn english as a 1st language. That was a lousy comparism there. As for texans, if u're talking about the rednecks who don't have much education, then yea they do. So in the end, u're telling me, the only valid excuse for singaporeans not to speak good english is a low educational standard then. Soooo then, who wants to show that they are uneducated? Its your loss, not mine.
once again, a bu qiu shang jing attitude. If one doesn't like things in the country, one always has the right to speak up and fight for changes. Join PAP and work your way up? My dear, you make us sound like a communist country. Perhaps we are? Join the "party" before we can make any changes? Then again, that is doomed to failure. If you don't stay in line in the party, how are u going to move high enough to change anything? If u do stay in line, it won't be long before u're corrupted as well. Im afraid you don't know how things work in Singapore.Originally posted by SaintDL:In that case get out of here for all i care.
You dun like things in this country, leave. You want to make a difference go join the PAP and work your way up. Otherwise what you are doing here is just starting flame wars and beign sacarstic to people.
Meanwhile, even though Trendz's flaming can be rather uncalled for, he has every right to comment on the inability of Singaporeans to speak proper english and overusage of Singlish. The whole "don't like it can leave" response is, to be honest, very disgusting and uncivilized.
Good for you. However, its not the same for others. People use too much singlish online and even when abroad. And that is why a backlash against singlish has arisen. Its only natural. Bashing the threadstarter won't do singlish itself any good. See? It's simpler.Originally posted by SaintDL:I can speak english well enough for americans and englishmen to understand me. I've been diving before and i spoke to them before. But i talk to other people in singlish all the same. Hell, kid you go up to malaysia and they speak to you in singlish. See? We're a force to be reckoned with. Haha. C'mon folks just look. Anywhere there's indians, malays and chinese living together, the people speak singlish.
Its not the end of the world. And i will not change my way of life(speaking in this case) just because some kid hates how his countrymen speaks.
But! But! I would like to point out that people SHOULD always use standard english when talking to foreigners AND ONLINE DAMMIT ONLINE! Most important...
You see it's that simple. You don't want to change the way you talk to locals, you make sure you make people understand you online or when talking to foreigners. See? Simple. -
Singlish or English?
In my own opinion, what matters most is our ability to code-switch. For all of you out there who don't know what is 'code-switching',
Code-switching is a term in linguistics referring to alternation between two or more languages, dialects, or language registers in the course of discourse between people who have more than one language in common. Sometimes the switch lasts only for a few sentences, or even for a single phrase.
-- wikipedia.com
To me, speaking Singlish is just code-switching. Throw in some malay, chinese, hokkien or even some alien language and viola!
By speaking Singlish, it doesn't mean that we are not proficient in English. The most important thing is to know when to code-switch, and when to not. If we are speaking to our own group of friend, i don't see why we can't throw in a few 'lor's or 'la's in our conversation. If our intended meaning is not distorted by our frequent lors and las, i think it is perfectly okay to speak in Singlish.
Just do not make a fool out of yourself by speaking in such proficient Singlish such that other people, such as foreigners, do not even understand what we are trying to say. I believe this is what the Speak Good English Movement is all about. To speak good English is not about using bombastic vocabulary, but simply being grammatically correct and not using our Singapore speak that often. -
nobody here is suggesting that if one speaks singlish, one is not proficient in English. However, if one uses singlish EXCESSIVELY or even EXCLUSIVELY, then one IS likely to be nonproficient in english.Originally posted by ruuix:By speaking Singlish, it doesn't mean that we are not proficient in English. The most important thing is to know when to code-switch, and when to not. If we are speaking to our own group of friend, i don't see why we can't throw in a few 'lor's or 'la's in our conversation. If our intended meaning is not distorted by our frequent lors and las, i think it is perfectly okay to speak in Singlish.
the other point is that its quite jarring to the ears. Even if we don't condemn it, theres nothing that says we cannot say its a nasty sounding pesudo-language.