Singlish: It's not for every situation

Singlish: It's not for every situation

SINGAPORE - We can be proud of our "lahs" and "lors", but experts say that it is still crucial that people speak proper English.

Mrs Wai Yin Pryke, principal of the English Language Institute of Singapore and committee member of the Speak Good English Movement (SGEM), believes that Singapore should continue to uphold the highest standards for English.

"The danger with Singlish is that because it comes about so naturally - we hear it all around us - some will incorrectly regard it as English and use it widely," she says.

"The fear is that they will then lose touch with English through a lack of practice.

"Use it or lose it, right?" she says.

The SGEM was launched in 2000 by then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong to encourage Singaporeans to speak grammatically correct English that is universally understood.

It came amid concerns that Singlish was becoming the norm.

Mrs Pryke says that because English is a global language of commerce and business, Singapore, as a small country, needs to be plugged into this network.

She concedes that many feel strongly about Singlish.

"Singlish has grown organically. There are a lot of emotions about it because it is a part of society, and to some, part of the national identity that binds us.

"But we must always remember Singlish is not good English. It doesn't even sound like English - the syntax and vocabulary are different.

"There is a role for Singlish in Singapore, like when you're at the coffee shop, talking to the taxi uncle, chatting with friends - in informal settings."

Mrs Pryke points out that this doesn't mean that Singlish is subpar to English, because there are no grounds for comparisons as the two are different.

"After all, language is to help us with communication, and Singlish achieves that in certain situations," she says.

"While we cannot run away from Singlish, it is important to know how to switch between Singlish and English. That requires a good command of English."

So yes, there is a place for both Singlish and English, says Mr Baey Yam Keng, chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Culture, Community and Youth.

"Singaporeans have developed more pride in Singlish because it is part of our identity," he notes.

And that's fine - as long as it comes with the ability to converse in proper English and maintain a certain level of language proficiency globally.

He says: "It's important for us to recognise the differences (between the two languages) and the place that they have in the world arena."{C}


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