Monday, June 01, 2009
12:39 AM ● Criticism



After reading through all those pages of comments' (from the above Video),
i couldn't help but think that "we" Singaporeans should try not to speak "singlish" any further.
i mean, i know "singlish" is kind-of part of our culture, after so many years.

And we all know that even Singaporean ministers are trying to promote to Singaporeans,
to try not to speak singlish that frequently. "But" not asking us, Singaporeans to stop at all cost, preventing us.

"Singlish" is mostly spoken to a close friend?, or maybe to a family member or even to some, speaking singlish helps to break down the barrier to visitors/foreign not from our island.
(As everyone knows, "singlish" is Singaporeans special culture", a promise you could only hear, origin from Singapore. Even some foreign would expect to hear when they arrive at Singapore for a holiday. Which makes Singapore a Friendly and Fun place to be in. Don't you think so?)

Honestly, I confess i was one of the viewers whom was "angry, filled with rage" when i watched that video.
But i soon got over it, especially when i read through "most" of the comments.
Hahas i would really want to read all the comments, but it was a pretty long comment list.
I stopped when i was at the 17 page of the comment. Incredible!
Some comments was harsh but some points was true.
But personally, some are ridicules.



Comments that got my attention.
(Not because their comment was great or fantastic.
But because, i wonder they had the brains or were using any when commenting.
And just for your information, comments at the bottom may not be in order.
I just copied those that i think was hilarious or simply unbelievably funny)

MikioOhta
Singapore is a multi-racial country and learning English in school is fine. But to speak English at home as well?! You mean the Chinese in Singapore speak to their parents and siblings in English? That is a bit extreme I think. Doing that is tantamount to feeling ashamed of your own heritage and race. Why? I'm not Chinese but I respect the Chinese for their intelligence and capability. I think if Japanese spoke English at home and are more fluent in English, the westerners will look down on us.
*My comment:
( I am proud to say, that i am one of those Singaporeans who speak English at home and of course to my parents. I am brought up this way, and I'm fortunate to be. I don't get what "MikioOhta " is trying to say or even show/express? That she could speak or even type great English but she think that it is extreme that Singaporeans spoke English at home and to their parents.
Like (hello~?) What's wrong with that? In Singapore, English is "very important", because we are living in a multi-racial country. We have many races living here in Singapore, and we don't expect everyone to speak or understand each other's language. English "is our PRIMARY subject". Even she could comment that we live in a multi-racial country, but why couldn't she understand. Perhaps she thinks that Singaporean's Chinese should be that way, then please open your eyes and see to understand that it is not true.)

moritzkunow
I am German. Wie geht es dir? Ich bin in Berlin geboren und wuchs in Frankfurt am Main. I would ask you to refrain from personal attacks, you are not doing yourself and your countrymen any favours by acting like a spoilt brat. Are you suggesting that most Singaporean Chinese speak mandarin to the same level of fluency as Taiwanese and can read and write Chinese like the Taiwanese. Delusional.

moritzkunow
I lived in Taipei for 6 years and I think, to be fair, most Taiwanese don't think their English is better than Singaporeans. English is after all not their native language. But the criticism here, and most of you seem to be missing the point, is that, many Singaporeans claim to be native speakers of English and yet do not even possess the fluency of a ten year old English kid from a middle class family.

*( Laughter; As you can see, she appears to be commenting on Singaporean's English.
Comparing Singaporean's English to a English Kid who's only ten in age.
Maybe "moritzkunow ", whom i suppose, would be a lady was offended by one of the Singaporean's comment and was frustrated by the fate she was being personal attack origin from her own comments.
But she seems civilise. Maybe it could be the other "commenter" whom was getting on her nerves. )


moritzkunow
Ebony, May I ask, are you Singaporean? From your posts, I assume you are. Are you ethnically Chinese? What's your mother tongue? English? Do you speak Queen's English or at least English like the middle class in England? Or is your mother tongue Chinese? In that case, do you at least speak Chinese like the Taiwanese in terms of vocab, pronunciation etc? I love the Taiwanese accent and no offense but I think when Singaporeans speak Chinese, they sound extremely rude and crude.

*( Once again, Offended and Defending her stand. Attacking back to a comment from "Ebony".
I cant stand the way she is trying to prove to this commenter that she is right by insulting "Ebony"? Mother tongue? Guess what? Mother tongue came from a Chinese.
I, myself love watching series from Japan, Korea, china, Hong Kong and even Taiwan.
But i wonder why "moritzkunow " could comment such a thing as "when Singaporeans speak Chinese, they sound extremely rude and crude. "
It depends on who you are speaking with and what you were talking about.
It's common sense isn't it? I don't think "moritzkunow" should really condemn Singaporeans whom spoken Chinese to sound rude and even crude. It could be that the one Singaporean whom spoke to you this way, was doing it on purpose(as you two got into a disagreement?) or the Singaporean usually spoke in this manner, and wasn't trying to be rude but it was simply a habit, which most of the time, everybody from any country couldn't get rid off.)


moritzkunow
I lived in Taipei for about 6 years and then Singapore for two years. Most Taiwanese don't speak any English so I had to learn Mandarin to survive in Taipei. As a foreigner, I don't expect Taiwanese to speak English since I'm in their country so I should learn some Chinese anyway. When I went to Singapore however, I couldn't understand their English at all so I switched to Mandarin. I'm amazed to discover that many Singaporean Chinese don't speak fluent mandarin. What lang do they speak well?

*(Another comment which drives Singaporeans frustrates. Ha ha
Even myself, i admit.
Once again, i would like to repeat! Singapore is a "Multi-racial country"
We have many spoken languages in Singapore, are you expecting us to learn them all?
And why don't you jolly well add in their culture, while you're at it?
Please try to Understand that, We learn languages by our "ancestor origin". Singapore is a filled with mixed religions and culture. If you were comparing that England is English,and they should and must be able to speak great English, china is Chinese, and their language should be well-spoken and written? Then what about Singapore? You have once stayed in Singapore for 2 years?
Shouldn't you have notice that already? Or maybe you didn't realise that till now?
Don't come telling me that Chinese is singaporean's "mother tongue", What about races like Malay, Indian and even Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese whom convert and stayed in Singapore?)


moritzkunow
I think most Singaporeans can't speak English like the middle-class English, which is perfectly understandable. Most Singaporeans are Chinese, hence English is not their mother tongue. What I think is unfortunate is that Chinese Singaporeans, even the highly educated ones, don't speak their mother tongue, i.e. Mandarin Chinese, fluently.

*( Ha ha I think she(i assume she's a "she"), liked and enjoys commenting on other's mother tongue languages and commenting on people who don't really speak well in Chinese. (sign*)
Just because she stayed in Taiwan for 6 years? She assume she know everything between Taiwan and Singapore.
I still think that, if she is commenting on her own view, where she stayed in Taiwan for 6 years and Singapore for 2 years.It isn't fair, as she could have had a unhappy memories in Singapore and start commenting bad things about it.
I'm not saying that, that really happened to "her" but I'm just stating the facts that "could" happen. Humans will forever remain and act as a human. )


shou1107
hello guys .. like i just said ..im a taiwanese .. these guys are fucking gay in TW ! they are not even CELEBRITIES !!! they're NOT FAMOUS (except 2 hosts)dont give a shit about these fucking retarded ppl ... they don't represent all TWnese..especially 申東靖 he's fukin gay !

*( Okay, i just copied this Taiwanese post comment as it's simply funny.
It's normal for a Taiwanese to dislike a Taiwanese celebrities or even an unknown artist,
same goes to Singapore. Haha
And i wondered why the grouch between him and 申東靖?)

MichelleRachel
It's my Life & my story.
I dont normally type in a full sentence when i'm blogging,
(Depending on my mood, whether i feel like it or don't)
as i usually typed short forms due to convience.
When someone speak in singlish, it doesnt mean
he/she doesn't know how to speak in chinese or even english,
whatever the matter, It is simply depending on the person she/himself.
p/s: Hahas As per normal, there's something wrong with either my templates
or the blog. Resizing of some are not made by myself.
*Eg; "Singlish" and etc.

Every country's english is different,

even the way they speak english.

xxxxxx

( Escape to the city. )