Singlish, or just the local lingual?

Many people had been debating over the use of SInglish in Singapore. Singlish, a word deriving from Singapore and English, so in simple terms means Singapore-styled English. What might truly be unique is that Singapore might be the only place which a significant number of singaporeans are receptive of Singlish. 

Singlish, although is more commonly regarded and perceived as Singapore-style English, however, is more of a style of communication used more informally and thus, internally. Singlish is a combination of local culture, dialect and languages. But is there a real difference in Singapore-styled English and Singlish?

One does not simply type the ‘leh’ and ‘lah’ in emails, though they might use the occasional ‘liao’ instead of already, to sound more chummy. So perhaps it is more of the vocabulary used vocally.

Singlish, at best is a local slang. As with all other English-speaking country/cities, they do have their own English slangs and dialects. Like in London, their English is divided into the ‘posh’ sounding like Hackney to the working-class Essex accent. Likewise, they did have their own unique set of vocabulary.

Just like the Welsh. You do not see them typing ‘in a wee bit’ in their emails for formal communications (sometimes even informal context). 

English as a language in Singapore does have a long presence, dating since colonial times, however, the effective functional use of it doesn’t really start till the 60s.Now in Singapore, almost 100% of the citizens are able to speak in English. Well, basic conversation probably.

What is most important is the justification of using Singlish in formal context. Even though the intended audience is a fellow Singaporean, however, that doesn’t much gives excuse for using SInglish. With English now being the official language now (together with Mandarin, Malay and Tamil), it is best to follow the protocol like any wise and obedient Singaporean. 

Anthropology of Singlish

Why Singlish is so popular even till today, and will a better educated generation of Singaporeans, together with none native speakers of Singlish kill this local slang?

Singlish is popular might well derive from the past. Now, we know Singlish is a combination of local dialects (llike Teochew, Hokkien, Cantonese and Hakka) with Malay, Tamil and Mandarin. Or in local term, a rojak(a Singlish word) of languages. To the untrained ears, Singlish may sound like Malay or Chinese dialect. With the pioneers of Singaporeans being not well-educated (most of them learn English on the job), and speak at least one form of dialect at home, English to them was a foreign language. Although Chinese characters was used in local newspapers, however, it is being read differently (since the dialects shared the same wordings, just pronounced differently). 

With the rise of America as a Superpower in the 50s (and Russia, but what are the odds of an ex crown-colony supporting communism), Singaporeans quickly realised the need of English to be able to survive in the long run. 

Singapore economic landscape in the 50s comprises of factories and heavy industry. So, many of them learn English in their 20s (which makes it harder). For the luckier ones whose family own a shop (usually selling provisions to the westerners), those patrons will teach them some few words of English. 

The emerging importance of good English is not just being found in Singapore. It was a worldwide phenomenon, like the popularity in Grammar schools in the UK. 

So, with certain English words sounding like some local dialects, the local dialects were being used in place of the English words. Sounds absurd, I know, but that is how people learn English back then.

Now, will Singlish ever dies? It might one day, but just not yet. 

Likewise in the UK, Scottish Gaelic and Welsh are still relatively spoken in the local community, Singlish is also being spoken across the island. The local dialect had not fallen and extinct to proper English. But just like in the UK, it is widely unacceptable for one to mix the languages together.

So, Singlish is still here to stay- for now. Unless there is a huge influx of foreigners one day, where their perception of Singlish is only just ‘leh’ and ‘lah.