Please go to the following link to view the source (adapted from Today online)
http://www.todayonline.com/pdf_main.asp?pubdate=20080830 (page 5)
I saw this article on Weekend Today (30 August 2008) and it captures my attention immediately simply because I can relate to what the writer is trying to highlight- the issue of Singlish. Basically, the article wants to create an awareness that the use of proper English is in danger as most Singaporeans are communicating in Singlish. The article pointed out that Singaporeans choose to communicate in Singlish because it is considered "a colourful homegrown dialect with its own grammar" which implies that the use of Singlish is deemed unique. Also, as mentioned in the article that in a poll done by Singapore Polytechnic Business students, revealed that "nearly half the people between 25 and 29 years old don't think good English is important". In the writer's opinion, it seems that English has lost its significance in Singapore as demonstrated by the local universities whereby admission does not require students to excel in the language. In addition, the writer also highlights the fact that English teachers nowadays have to depend on the retired English teachers to teach them so that they are trained to conduct English lessons in proper English. At the end of the article, the writer suggest that universities can allow students who hold lousy English results to further their studies in the school but are to ensure that they make improvement over the time.
In this case, the newspaper article acts as a channel in which the writer highlights his concerns over the dominating Singlish. The writer targeted mainly the 'Today' readers and create a collective representation of reality using what is known as the language code (Singlish) to attract the readers' attention. This is done so as people who are most likely to flip through the newspaper are Singaporeans who are familiar with Singlish and the rising problems caused by the island wide usage of it. It is seen that the writer tries to link with the readers by using the word "Singlish" which all Singaporeans are aware that it means the improper use of English in our society. Thus, readers who are able to familiarise themselves with the word will be drawn to read the article and get hold of the gist of what the writer is trying to conevy through the interesting title "Bad English? Don't Pray, Pray". In addition, our "mother tongue"- the 'lahs', 'lehs' and 'mehs' appear on the article which helps us to further recognise the "Singlish" that the writer is referring to. Though some may argue that it's not only us, the Singaporeans who will use 'lahs', 'lehs', 'mehs', the writer cleverly includes our Singlish spokesperson- Phua Chu Kang to relate to the readers as the character played by Gurmit Singh is famous for his use of Singlish. To further hit Singaporeans on the seriousness of the use of Singlish, the writer brought in the universities' admission criteria to prove that because of the increase in the dominance of Singlish, even universities seems to perceive that proper English is no longer important. All the factors employed by the writer to illustrate the whole point of him writing the article are not only pointers which we can relate to (because the use of Singlish does not apply to other countries like the USA or British) and also it serves to sort of hit us hard on our head on the severity of the issue.
My personal opinion is that, no doubt, the use of proper English is extremely important specially when our country has close ties with for example, British and a good command of English is necessary to facilitate us in communicating with them efficiently. English is also an international language and thus no doubt of its importance in comunication. However, I feel that English is not what the writer has put it- that it is in "ICU", but rather it is just that most of us prefer to speak in Singlish as it enables us to relate to each other better. I feel that we (Singaporeans) will look at the Kairos (occasion) for the choice of which kind of language to use. For example, when my class is presenting our project work to the investigators, we spoke formally, omitting our 'lahs' and 'lehs' as we are fully aware that such language is not acceptable. However, when we are presenting to our own class, the 'lahs' and 'lehs' will spill put from our mouth be it consciously or unconsciously. Thus, it is significant that we use Singlish on certain occasions as we feel more comfortable using it and it symbolise our uniqueness. By using formal English when speaking to our own friends make us feel as though they are strangers. I do agree that Singlish do spoilt the beauty of English language but at least I feel that it is not at danger as we are still able to communicate in proper English when needed. Singlish highlights our uniqueness and it actually serves as a good way in helping us to identify with fellow Singaporeans when we are overseas. For example when I'm alone in a foreign country and there's no one I can relate to, I will be delighted when say I'm having lunch myself and suddenly I overheard a 'lah' or 'leh' coming from the other table. Another example to demonstrate that Singlish is in no way affecting our proper use of English would be Gumit Singh. In the show, Phua Chu Kang, he acts as a typical Singaporean, one who uses Singlish, can't speak a good command of English but when we meet him in real life or when his hosting a television show, he speaks fluently, almost two different person as compared to Phua Chu Kang.
Thus, even though the use of Singlish is increasing at an alarming rate, we are actually still armed with a good command of English but only choose to use it when necessary. I'm not too sure about the writer's point that retired teachers need to make a comeback to teach English teachers but I shall stay strong in my belief that our English teachers will have an excellent command of English as I believe their English standard has definitely hit a certain mark in order for them to qualify as a language teacher. Therefore, I feel that as long as we are able to differentiate between good English and Singlish and know when to use which, it is perfectly fine for us to communicate in Singlish with the people around us.
7 comments:
In the poll done by the Singapore Polytechnic holders, the way the survey is being conducted is rather dubious.
In the article, it does not state the sample size and how the survey was being conducted and if it was done across different areas in Singapore, or a specific area.
If the sample size is a majority of blue-collar worker, definitely, the results will be assumed that English is less important. In contrast, perhaps if majority of the people surveyed are white-collared workers, will there be a heavier emphasis on the importance of good English?
Similarly, if this survey is done in a Central Business District (CBD) area, where more white-collared area, the percentage of results will be different than say, a heartland area.
Hence, this survey itself is probably flawed, since it fails to state how the survey was being conducted and whether it was done accordingly to the respective percentages of different working population in Singapore.
Similar to the opinion of Huishan, I feel that Singlish adds on to the Singaporean identity. Nevertheless, we should be versatile and comfortable enough to be able to switch between Singlish and English when the need be.
I believe that this article causes unneccessary, as there is no true statistic which shows that there is a fall in importance of good English language or that the standard of a Singaporean's English is declining. This article merely makes its own assumption
Singlish definitely strikes a chord in our hearts. It is in itself, a sum of many ordinary Singaporean's identity as mentioned in the article. It gives one a warm fuzzy feeling and sense of being home upon hearing its familiar accent.
Yet, in as much as we want to feel at home, Singaporeans are international beings as well. Hence, the need to converse in good English comes into play and adopts a critical role in our daily life.
Code-switch is definitely a popular proposed solution to this particular issue these days. Being able to speak to the "uncles and aunties" as well as to our superiors in a manner that is polite and formal is an asset. Yet the fact of the matter is, not everyone is capable or even more willing to go through this hassle. However, I believe that the time has come when we have to learn to code-switch properly, regardless of any challenges it will present on our path. It’s a good challenge anyway. Everybody benefits.
Let us abandon the belief that Singlish is bad English.
To me, it is a unique vocabulary that encapsulates decades of local culture. One could throw in the occasional 'lah' and jargon like 'bo chap' ('can't be bothered' in Hokkien) to retain a wonderfully local flavour, and still keep to grammatical English.
The reason why Singaporean English will never get good.It’s because even our newscasters and the the very broadcast stations use bad English. I’m not talking Phua Chu Kang which is funny and humorous and should be allowed to use Singlish.It’s all those supposedly more serious programs that mispronounce words. It’s not some fancy foreign word. It’s English. Simple English. Pronounce it like English.
Good English IS important for somebody who wants to climb the corporate ladder. Sure, one might not necessarily need good English to secure a job, but the positions acquired will be one way or another be affected by one's mastery of the language. In one survey that I remember reading, one of the things that irritate employers the most are employees who commit basic grammatical errors in emails to clients and customers.
As much as we would like to anticipate the rise of China as the new superpower, we cannot deny that English is still the international lingua franca. Even the Chinese are working hard to grasp the command of English, with many of them using better grammar than the locals here. With the people of the next-superpower-nation working hard to acquire English, how dare the people of a nation like ours (obviously too small to be a superpower) say good English is not important?!
The deteriorating standard of English is not a problem exclusive to the Singapore community. Countries whose native language is English are experiencing this problem amongst its youth as well. Britain and America are plagued with the problem of students whose mastery of the language is not as strong as the people of the previous generation. However, their problem is slightly different from Singapore's. Whilst they are wrestling with standard of English in terms of vocabulary and sophistication of the way the language is being used, Singapore is having problems with its people including words that are not recognized in the English dictionary, as well as grammatical errors.
But of course, blaming Singlish to be the cause of our bad-English woes is not very fair. Singlish is Singlish, if one is trained well in proper English, one can alternate between Singlish and English effortlessly. In many of us, using Singlish is more like a habit. If we can keep that habit in check whenever it needs to be, we should be fine. Like the writer of the article says, educated people are the ones who speak Singlish. So, if Singlish is the only English-resembling language a person can speak, then that is a problem.
My proposal is to teach proper English intensively in school and juxtapose it with Singlish so students can know the difference between what is proper and what is Singlish. Right now, the English syllabus in school is neglecting the existence of Singlish in the Singapore context, that is why students commit errors is English without even knowing it. I agree with what Evelyn (hypertech88) says, we must, and should be able to code-switch. In order to do that, we must first know the contents of the 'codes.' We can have the best of both worlds if we allow ourselves to, and constantly work towards it.
Perhaps because English is very much a universal language that Singapore wants her citizens to learn it properly. However, i feel that Singapore is not doing enough to promote better language skills. They should send the best English teachers to build children's foundation instead of remedying it when they become older. Even the emphasis of Chinese is also weak. So why isn't the government doing much to this aspect?
I am able to write in fluent English, yet speak good English and Singlish at the same time.
Who says there is a decreasing emphasis on English? Most white collar job would require a proficiency in the English language.
Why have Singaporeans been complaining about the influx of Chinese nationals in the service industry? Because of their lack of spoken English.
Why has the Singapore government been promoting bilingualism, and even trilingualism and not monolingualism? It is essential for communication and networking in different parts of the world. English is a universal language, and definitely, the government places more emphasis on it than the others.
I beg to differ with the poll done by Singapore Polytechnic. Two words, pure shallow.
Singlish is just another variation of the english language. The only difference is that it is not as widely accepted as, for example, American english. For instance, the use of the word "ain't" in place of the word "isn't" is simply so because it sounds more pleasing to the American ear. However, that said, it is always good to know how to use the proper form of the language, unless you only want fellow singaporeans to understand you, which would be highly unfavorable given this era of rapid globalisation.
Post a Comment