By Jessica Lin

WE'VE all come across an incorrect sign that we wished we could correct, like an itch that needed scratching.

It's no wonder that Stomp has received more than 400 entries for its Fix That Sign contest in less than two months since the online contest started on Sept 1.

That's close to eight signs corrected (or itches scratched) every day.

The Fix That Sign contest is a collaboration between Stomp, Asia's No. 1 social-networking and citizen-journalism site, and the Speak Good English Movement (SGEM).

With the contest, the SGEM aims to highlight the importance of using correct English in public signs that we see every day everywhere in Singapore.

Looking at the entries so far, a simple error can make a sign incomprehensible, hilarious or just downright embarrassing.

SGEM chairman Goh Eck Kheng points out that the overwhelming response for the contest shows that more Singaporeans are recognising the need to speak and write universally understood English.

"The contest draws the public's attention to the standard of English used in signs around Singapore," he says.

"It also makes those who put up signs more aware of the standard of English they use in signs."

As Singapore strives to become a more globally integrated society, Singaporeans must learn to speak and use the English language in a manner that is globally understood, says Olivia Loh-Ing, who heads an independent film society and is an ardent supporter of the SGEM.

"Singapore's competitive advantage lies in our ability to speak multiple languages, especially English. It is important for us to speak well to be understood everywhere," she says.

"Bad English used in public signs will only encourage young people and children to think that it is okay to make such mistakes."

Stomp editor Chew V Ming says that the contest shows that Singaporeans are eager to do something about the mistakes in public signs.

"With Fix That Sign, Stomp demonstrates its ability to tap into the public consciousness and be the collective voice of Singaporeans. Stomp gets people to act."

It's still not too late to help improve Singapore's standard of English. The contest closes next Tuesday.

All you have to do is snap a picture of an incorrect public sign in Singapore and suggest a correction for it. Send your entry to stomp@stomp.com.sg The 10 best entries will be put up for public voting starting from Nov 1.

The entry with the most number of votes will win the top prize, of a Lenovo S10-2 netbook, while second and third prize winners get a Nokia E63 mobile phone and a Canon Digital Ixus 95 IS digital
camera, respectively.

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