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.
