Difference between revisions of "Singapore"
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| − | Vivian Balakrishnan is a smart man. He knows we talk this way only precisely because we think it sounds cute and rustic and it also entertains our proletarian pretensions. Overeducated and exceedingly westernised, I literally had to teach myself the "singlish" sound during university and when I did it was mostly for a laugh. But now far away in London, hearing the tinny strains of our pidgin language is what makes me feel certain that I want to go back again sometime. So the man should give singlish more credit; its gives Singapore more colour, character, and sound. | + | Vivian Balakrishnan is such a smart man. He knows we talk this way only precisely because we think it sounds cute and rustic and it also entertains our proletarian pretensions. Overeducated and exceedingly westernised, I literally had to teach myself the "singlish" sound during university and when I did it was mostly for a laugh. But now far away in London, hearing the tinny strains of our pidgin language is what makes me feel certain that I want to go back again sometime. So the man should give singlish more credit; its gives Singapore more colour, character, and sound. |
<blockquote style="background:#cccccc; padding:1em">'''Minister Balakrishnan cautions against promoting use of Singlish<br> | <blockquote style="background:#cccccc; padding:1em">'''Minister Balakrishnan cautions against promoting use of Singlish<br> | ||
Revision as of 12:12, 5 September 2008
Singlish
Vivian Balakrishnan is such a smart man. He knows we talk this way only precisely because we think it sounds cute and rustic and it also entertains our proletarian pretensions. Overeducated and exceedingly westernised, I literally had to teach myself the "singlish" sound during university and when I did it was mostly for a laugh. But now far away in London, hearing the tinny strains of our pidgin language is what makes me feel certain that I want to go back again sometime. So the man should give singlish more credit; its gives Singapore more colour, character, and sound.
Minister Balakrishnan cautions against promoting use of Singlish
By Shaffiq Alkhatib, 938LIVE | Posted: 27 May 2008 2053 hrs
Some 600 students from more than 20 institutions attended the dialogue session at Nanyang Technological University.
SINGAPORE: Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Vivian Balakrishnan has cautioned against promoting the use of Singlish.
Speaking at the Pre-University Seminar 2008 on Tuesday, Dr Balakrishnan said the move to promote the lingo is a "pet project" by "linguistic elites" that can cause more harm than good.
He said those championing the local lingo are mostly highly educated individuals who are able to effortlessly switch from Singlish to proper English.
"But very few of us, to be honest with you, really have the ability. For most of us, we can only speak one way. So I've often felt there's a bit of intellectual snobbery on the part of people who push Singlish," Dr Balakrishnan said.
