Saturday, April 27th 2024
Due to Singapore's rich history and diverse cultural makeup, the country is home to a multitude of languages. The official languages recognised in Singapore are English, Singaporean Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil. However, English has emerged as the de facto language of the nation.
English serves as the primary language for most business and commercial activities in Singapore. It is widely used in corporate communication, meetings, and official documentation. Additionally, English is the language used for road signage and information boards throughout the country, ensuring accessibility for both locals and visitors.
Singapore's linguistic landscape is further enriched by the influence of various dialects, including Hokkien and Cantonese. This linguistic fusion has given rise to a unique local variant known as Singlish. Singlish incorporates elements from different languages and is characterised by its distinct grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
While Singlish has been discouraged by the Singaporean government in the past
Despite efforts to promote the use of standard English, many Singaporeans still use Singlish in informal settings, among friends and family, as a way to connect and express their cultural heritage.
By embracing the multilingualism and the linguistic diversity present in Singapore, the country has fostered a dynamic environment that reflects its cosmopolitan nature and multicultural identity.
In Singapore, there are three official mother tongue languages: Chinese, Malay, and Tamil. As part of primary education, students are required to study a Mother Tongue Language (MTL) based on their family's ethnicity
This policy serves to preserve cultural heritage, nurture a sense of identity, and encourage multilingualism among Singaporeans. Consequently, many Singaporeans develop bilingual proficiency, with English serving as their primary language.
According to the 2020 census, 70.5% of Singaporeans have achieved bilingual proficiency
These statistics indicate the prevalence and importance of Mandarin as a popular second language choice, making it advantageous for foreigners seeking to learn another language, and enhance cross-cultural communications.
Singapore Sign Language (SgSL) is the sign language used in Singapore. It draws influences from Shanghainese Sign Language (SSL), American Sign Language (ASL), Signing Exact English (SEE-II), and locally developed signs.
Individuals who are proficient in SSL, ASL, or SEE-II may find that they can adapt their existing skills to communicate with the deaf community in Singapore.
In 2018, a Ministry of Education kindergarten combined deaf and hearing children together with lessons being taught concurrently with a speaking, and a signing teacher/interpreter
“When (people) see someone or a child having a disability, they may feel (that) maybe that child can’t do (certain things), but actually (children) can learn and play together, if given the support in the classroom.”
The Singapore Association for the Deaf maintains the Singapore Sign Language Sign Bank. This online resource allows individuals to search for SgSL signs. Each sign entry includes a video clip, photos, and written instructions on how to perform the sign using both the dominant and non-dominant hand. The sign bank also provides information on the SgSL alphabet, handshapes, and signing parameters.
The Singapore Association for the Deaf offers SgSL courses consisting of three levels. These courses are designed for individuals interested in learning sign language and aim to provide comprehensive instruction in SgSL.
Additionally, the organisation conducts SgSL workshops, which offer focused and practical learning opportunities for those who want to enhance their sign language skills.
Singlish, short for Singaporean English, is a unique and informal variant of English commonly used in Singapore. It is a English-based creole language that incorporates elements from various languages spoken in the country, such as Hokkien, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Malay. While Singlish may deviate from the sentence structure expected by native English speakers, it is primarily used in informal or casual settings and is generally easy to understand.
It's important to note that it Singlish is not universally used in formal settings, such as official documents or professional environments, where standard English is preferred. However, you may see casual use of Singlish in some work environments.
Here are some examples of commonly used Singlish words and phrases:
"Lah" - is a ubiquitous particle in Singlish that adds emphasis or conveys a laid-back tone, the word in its own right conveys no meaning. It will be used in some of the examples to provide better context.
"Can lah!" - The word "Can" in its own right is used to express agreement, permission, or affirmation. It signifies that something is possible or allowed. When combined with "lah," it adds a positive emphasis or a sense of enthusiasm. The opposite expression is "cannot," which indicates a negative response or inability.
"Quick, go chope the table, lah!" - "Chope" means to reserve, and the "lah" adds emphasis. In this instance, the aim is to quickly reserve a table, such as at a hawker centre so not to miss out on seats. You might also say "Can you chope a seat for me?", asking another individual to reserve you a seat at the table.
"Aiyo, so expensive!" - "Aiyo" is an exclamation used to express surprise, frustration, or disappointment. In this example, it is combined with the phrase "so expensive" to convey astonishment at high prices.
"Don't anyhow talk!" - "Anyhow" means "carelessly" or "without thinking." This phrase is used to caution someone against speaking without proper knowledge or thought.
"Where got so easy?" - This phrase is used to express skepticism or disbelief. It questions the feasibility or simplicity of a particular situation or task.
"Makan already?" - "Makan" means "to eat" in Malay. This question is commonly used as a way of asking if someone has already eaten or is ready to have a meal together.
"Walao, so crowded sia!" - "Walao" is an exclamation that expresses surprise, annoyance, or amazement. In this example, it is combined with the phrase "so crowded sia" to convey astonishment at the high level of congestion.
"Shiok!" - Shiok is an exclamation expressing happiness or approval, similar to saying 'cool' or 'great', and can be used for describing a situation or thing, such as a delicious dish from meal.
"Let's dabao some food from that hawker stall for dinner" - Dabao is a term commonly used in ordering takeout or takeaway food. Using "dabao" can also indicate intention, such as letting the person taking the order know that you want it for takeaway rather than dining in.
Additionally, a commonly used expression is "Alamak" (ah-lah-mak), which displays dismay, shock, or alarm, similar to saying "Oh, no!" or "Oh, my goodness."
Words can also be repeated for emphasis, for example:
"Can! can! can!" which you may hear during sales transactions when asking "Can or not?" to inquire about the feasibility of something. Another variant can include "Take, take, take!", when asking if you can have an item.
In Singlish, it is common for people to use the word "huh?" in a high/loud tone during conversations. Unlike in some other cultures, where loudly saying "huh?" might be considered rude or impolite, in Singlish it is generally accepted and not seen as offensive, although for a westerner, but for a westerner, it might be slightly confronting.
The usage of "huh?" in Singlish serves as a way to express surprise, seek clarification, or indicate a need for further explanation. It is often used as a friendly and informal way of showing interest or attentiveness in a conversation.
The tone and context in which "huh?" is used play a significant role in determining its meaning. It is typically spoken in a light-hearted and jovial manner, without any intention to offend or challenge the speaker. Singlish speakers understand that it is a part of the informal communication style and cultural norms of Singapore.
Loudly saying "huh?" is not typically perceived as rude, but rather as a natural and acceptable way of engaging in conversation and expressing interest in what the other person is saying.
These examples highlight some of the distinct phrases and expressions used in Singlish. It's important to note that Singlish is a dynamic and ever-evolving language, with many more unique expressions and words used in everyday conversations in Singapore.
For further exploration, Mediacorp, Singapore's national broadcaster, has produced documentaries about Singlish and its influence, which can be watched below:
Fried Rice Paradise was banned by Radio Television Singapore (RTS) because of its flagrant use of Singlish
Talking Cock the Movie is a Singapore film released in May 2002. The term "talking cock", describes the act of in idle banter or speaking nonsense in Singlish, it comes form the old English idiom "cock-and-bull".
If you're interested in delving deeper into Singlish culture, there are various resources available, including Singlish dictionaries, children's books, and TV shows.
Below are some books you might consider:
One notable TV show is "Phua Chu Kang Pte Ltd," commonly referred to as PCK, a late '90s sitcom that heavily incorporates Singlish throughout each episode. Episodes of PCK can be found on YouTube.