Do singaporeans speak good english?

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Duncan

I have been to Singapore many times over the last 10 years. The last one was in June where I stayed for 4 weeks.

I find that their English is up to standard - internationally. Among the locals they speak differently - at times in mixtures of Mandarin/Malay/English - but then that is common anywhere around the world where locals communicate with locals.

If they use imperfect English, then it is the fault of the British because Singapore was a colony of Britain and the British may not have taught them the proper use of the language.

So if you are British, you are partly at fault. If you are not a British, you have no right to comment on Singapore. In the first place what makes you think that you are perfect?

Reece B

I "know" a few people online that are from Singapore and their English is excellent.

It's not exactly the same as what I am used to, (one actually told me that I "talk like an American" after I told him that I live in Japan) but each area has its own idiosyncrasies. A person from California might have different speech patterns than a person from Maine.

peanutz

Of course, we do, love. What is so imperfect about this?

It is those who choose to add in local colloquialism into their speech that mars the English language. Otherwise, I do speak pretty good English. Good enough for you, love?

Geo C

wah lau eh...how can you say we speak no good english? don't play play ah. We study 10 yer in school ah. 6 in primary school and 4 to 5 in secondary then got poly and university. why you see us no up ah?! :P

Then again,don't they all speak imperfect English all around the world. What would you consider perfect English? Queen's English? Would you care for a spot of tea after that?

brudder...more intelligent question pleaz.... you're just asking for people to slam you.

Whitehawk

Think we have to pose the question back to you ... do americans speak good english? Do the english speak good english. I believe its relative to where you come from. I am quite sure you may not understand fully a Scottish with his/her accent but does that mean they speak bad english?

As long as you can understand the other party and they can understand you doesnt that consitude to speaking good english?

Many local Singaporean I know can speak the queens english and switch to American English at the snap of a finger but yet amoung friends they speak singlish (a local mix of english and local terms be it chinese or malay or even tamil) its just being close to each other and enjoying each others company - point is the message gets across.

Oh just a point to add ... remember not too long ago there was a debate (in english) and the singapore team came up top beating native english speaking countries like Australia and New Zealand.

So is our english perfect? May or may not be by others standard but I am sure the rest of the english speaking world can understand us.

Cheers

swaleslad80

yes, when i was there we had no problems at all with the language barrier. everyone you will need to talk, i.e. in hotels, shops, public transport etc, will speak good english.

JP E

If you are a foreigner, please come to have a visit. Don't just think, but see and hear them yourself.

In as far as I am concerned, way back in 1973, I was even told by an elderly British that I spoke perfect English, and that he was ashame of his own countrymen who could not speak and write the language well. Some even swallowed their words.

Singlish is not very much unlike any country in the world whose people speaks a mixture of both their mother tongue and English during a conversation. Examples, Australians using some of their local phrases during conversations, and a French or Indian or Chinese trying to pronounce English the way English is pronounced.

The question is not whether our English is perfect or not. but more likely whether you are up to the mark to measure us.

â™¦Chimera Meerkatâ™¦

Yes, most of them speak pretty well.
In fact, many of them can speak English better than Mandarin (Chinese) due to work demand & it's a compulsory subject to excel in at schools.

Although many can turn to Singlish in informal environment or in comedies but most Singaporean fared pretty well compare to other Asian countries.

I've met many Americans student (via the student exchange programmes) that can speak English very well but not so for their spelling & grammars; which surprises me.

Btw. I'm not from Singapore.

goldstar_holder

Sometimes we may converse in "Singlish"
By adding a lor and a Lah...but basically i think we speak rather good english...

LiangMoi

Probably only those who have been studying abroad speak English . The majority of the population speak Singlish which sound very different and funny.I for one have got problem understanding them.

Tan D

Depend who are you comparing with. Singaporean are mostly Chinese, Malay and Indian, English is not their mother tongue, thus you can't expect them to speak English like the English's people. However, among most Asian countries, Singaporean speak the best English. Just compare Korea & Japan, you should know what I mean.

Country lover

of course, they speak good english lah!!!

chiara

they speak moderatly well english, they say 'lah' at the end of most sentances, to replace the words that they do not know. it gets very annoying.

lina

SOME OF US ARE.my grandpa speaks in Mandarin.my aunt speaks in 'hokian' Singaporeans have their own ways of speaking. as for me i speak English very well.

HumanBeingOnEarth!

why not?i scored well in my english during the GCE N and O levels okay..and oh my, even my teacher said i wrote good compositions...

aUDREy TTT

Most of them does but I think they would prefer Singlish better.

heman

Years ago they speak good english but now they speak good singlish with Johor accent...

floozy_niki

Of course lah, we all speak good English what.

kev l

yes some do but other don't .... do you

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