2I4+Sheng+Hng

__**Class 2I4 English Group**__


 * Leader:**
 * Loh Sheng Hng (14)


 * Members:**
 * Daniel Koh (09)
 * Liew Shan Yao (12)
 * Andre Lim (13)
 * Tan Jiahao (22)

__**Singapore Colloquial English (Singlish) Radio Documentary**__

 * Characters:**
 * Narrator || Sheng Hng / Andre ||
 * Expatriate || Daniel ||
 * MOE Representation's || Jiahao ||
 * Hossan Leong || Shan Yao ||
 * Linguist || Sheng Hng ||
 * Commoners - 2 MRT Passengers || Daniel / Shan Yao ||
 * English Teacher || Andre ||


 * Script:**

__Narrator:__
 * Narrator: || The great Singlish-English debate has been going on for some time. It recently re-emerged when many Pua Chu Kang advertisements, filled with Singlish, are plastered around on Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) trains, which invited criticisms on these advertisements as a bad impression to Singapore's unsightly use of Singlish, the use of English filled in with dialects and languages of Singaporeans.

The Government had ran the Speak Good English Movement, which emphasises the need to be understood by everyone, with the use of standard language. On the other side of the debate, some people argue that Singlish provides a common avenue for Singaporeans to bond, to allow Singaporeans to feel an affection for each other. This radio documentary had interviewed and will present the viewpoints of six different people, who holds different stands in the Singlish-English debate. ||

__1st Character - Linguist:__
 * Narrator: || In our first interview, we be seeking the point of view from a linguist, a professor who has studied on the development of Singlish, for his take on the significance, function and role of Singlish. His interview mainly focuses on the technical aspects of Singlish, and will give the stands of the debate. ||
 * || *Enters Room*
 * Door Sounds* ||
 * Narrator: || Hi. In your point of view, what exactly is Singlish? As in, can you please give Singlish a definition? ||
 * Linguist: || Singlish cannot be really defined, as, like all other languages, it has new rules of grammar, more vocabulary, at a constant basis. Singapore is a country of multi-ethnic, multi-races and multi-religions. Thus, Singlish started off as a colloquial language that Singaporeans created, unconsciously, so that all Singaporeans can understand and connect with. So, Singlish is basically a mixture of the different local languages and dialects, which includes Chinese, Malay and Tamil, amongst others. ||
 * Narrator: || Do you respect Singlish as a language of Singapore? ||
 * Linguist: || Of course! Singlish is an unique language, and is equal to those of Chinese and English. Despite having a history of around half a century, Singlish has developed a significant amount. If we respect Chinese, Malay, Tamil and English as the national languages of Singapore, we should also respect Singlish. Probably even more so, as it demonstrates the culture and heritage of Singapore. ||
 * Narrator: || As a linguist, can you explain to us some of the technical aspects of Singlish? ||
 * Linguist: || There are basically three categories of Singlish. There are the vocabulary used, the grammar in Singlish, which includes discourse particles, the change of tenses, amongst others and lastly, the pronunciation, which is also called the phonology of Singlish. However, to probably give you the whole technical explanation of Singlish, it will take a very long time. Nevertheless, I will provide you with the more interesting parts to these few categories.

For grammar, I will focus more on the discourse particles of Singlish. Discourse particles, like "lah" is linked with the tone of asentence, and is similar to the "lah" in the Chinese language, where the Chinese end with the word "lah". This word can be used in many occasions. For example, in the Malay language, which has creeped into Singlish, words like "baik", which means "okay" in English, is ended with a "lah". Thus, the word "lah" starts becoming a function to soften the tone of a sentence, or to give a command. An example would be when a parent commands a child to eat his food. The parent will say "eat lah". Another use of the word "lah" is when someone is giving a short response, that is usually negative. A usual example would be that when someone says, "I don't know lah, stop disturbing me".

Probably another interesting discourse particles is that of the "hor" word. "Hor" usually asks for the listener's attention and to ask for some support, consent or agreement. So, when someone is realising something, he or she will likely say something like this. "Oh ya hor, why didn't I think of that?"

Discourse particles in one of the most interesting part of Singlish, as it is one of the parts of Singlish which expatriates and foreigners pick up first. Different intonations also have different meanings.

Next, for the phonology part of Singlish, words with a "v" sound are pronounced as a "b" sound. An example would be when someone says "Seven-Eleven", it would be pronounced as "Seben-Eleben", which sounds similar, but is different in the precise pronunciation. Also, the "l" sound and "r" sound are interchangeable. For example, the word "play" is pronounced as "pray".

However, from all these aspects of Singlish, we can see the multi-cultural aspects of Singlish, which is also a distinctive feature of it. ||
 * Narrator: || As such, I am quite sure that you do know the rampant English-Singlish debate. What do you think of this? ||
 * Linguist: || This is a debate that has been very much debated. There are valid points in both of this. However, I would take on the persona of both sides to give a more definite view of Singlish. Is that okay with you? ||
 * Narrator: || Sure. Please continue. ||
 * Linguist: || Okay, thank you.
 * From a point of view of a examiner or a concerned parent, they might fear that children are unable to code-switch from the Singlish with the "lahs" and the "lohs" to their English examination, or in their daily speech. This might be a valid point, but I am quite sure that most children, with enough guidance, would be able to differentiate the situation to use Singlish and the situation to use proper English.
 * From a point of view of a linguist, I see no harm in Singlish. It is as valid a language as many other languages, as I have said just now. From simple words like "dowan", it is the Singlish of the English word, "don't want", which is much harder to pronounce. Singaporeans can relate to such words. Malays can understand the Hokkien word "Heng", which means lucky or fortunate. Chinese can understand words like "gostan" which is Malay for reversing or going backwards. The power of Singlish allows us to understand the different cultures much, much more. If you look at it, it is also part of a nation-building language, and is essential for racial harmony amongst Singaporeans.On my side, I would likely support the development of Singlish. It is unique in a sense that it unifies Singaporeans, and it is Uniquely Singapore.
 * Other countries too have their own colloquial language. like Cockney for the Londoners. It is much integrated in a society, and if the government really wants to stop the spread of Singlish, I believe that it would be a tiresome provess to remove Singlish from our society. ||
 * Narrator: || Okay, thank you for your very comprehensive view on Singlish. ||

__2nd Character: Expatriate__:
 * Narrator || Mr Khawn Boon Kwan is an expatriate who has worked in Singapore since he was eighteen. Now 48 years old, he works as a newspaprer editor

So, I've heard that you are a foreigner, who came to Singapore to work, and for quite long at that. So I'd like to ask you a few questions, is that okay with you? ||
 * Expatriate || Yeah, Sure I guess ||
 * Narrator || Well, to start it off, do you understand Singlish ||
 * Expatriate || Yes, well, initially it was quite hard. But after awhile, you get a better grasp of the language. When I first came to Singapore, I had to buy a book on how to speak Singlish to understand my colleagues and the locals here, but after about a year, I got used to it. ||
 * Narrator || A better grasp of the language? Could you maybe elaborate on it a little? ||
 * Expatriate || Well actually the base language for singlish is still English. Although Singaporeans speak it with a different accent it's still understandable - but sometimes they add words from dialects and other languages; makes it a bit hard to understand really, but after a while you just start to get used to it. For example when I first came here, my sister - she came to Singapore to work as well, four years earlier than me - brought me to a hawker centre, and she left for a moment to wash her hands; so this man came up to me and said "You wan kopi?". At that time I didn't know what it meant so I just sat there confused - until my sister came to rescue me. It was only then I learned that "kopi" actually meant coffee. So after awhile you start to understand the meaning of the words used in this language, and you get used to the context in which it is being used, then you just get used to it ||
 * Narrator || Hmm, I guess you could say that. But how do you feel about the language as a whole, I mean, do you think it's useful? Or do you think it just makes understanding them harder ||
 * Expatriate || Well, honestly it just takes some getting used to; most Singaporeans can code-switch anyway - this is from my working experience - for when we chat, we usually use Singlish, but we cannot do that for presentations. So actually Singlish is unique to Singapore, much like the Merlion and The Esplanade. If you take that away from them, they cannot be called Singaporeans anymore can they. And about understanding them, me and my sister have no problem at all understanding them now, since we've worked here for quite some time. Besides, Singapore is a multi-racial country; Singlish is what help connects the different ethnic groups. It's definitely useful ||
 * Narrator || Since you are a newspaper editor, do you think that understanding singlish has helped you in your job? ||
 * Expatriate || Yes, it has. Understanding Singlish has helped me understand the context in which Singaporeans understand newspaper articles, and it also helps me understand FULLY the meaning of their letters; in other words understanding Singlish makes my job much easier. ||
 * Narrator || So, in other words, you find Singlish helpful? Or rather, you find it useful? ||
 * Expatriate || Yes, it's very useful. In a foreign country, you have to adapt to the needs of the commoners, because they won't change for you. Although Singapore is a small country, if, as a foreigner, you are going to work here, you will still be the minority. So, yes, in Singapore Singlish is very useful, important ||

__3rd Character: Commoner(s)__
 * Narrator: || Probably, the best place when Singlish can be heard is in the train, where frequent conservations take place. A daily conservation can be filled with many elements of Singlish. Here, we have an example, and an interview done with them. ||
 * 1st passenger || Eh so tonight can play anot? ||
 * 2nd Passenger || Cannot lah. I got tuition leh. ||
 * 1st passenger || Alamak you everyday sure got tuition one leh. Yesterday Chinese tomorrow English today what? Malay ah? ||
 * Narrator || Hi, could I please interrupt your conversation? ||
 * 1st and 2nd passenger || Um...yeah...sure...I guess...can lah ||
 * Narrator || Thanks. Since you were speaking Singlish just now, do you all think you can switch between standard English and Singlish? ||
 * 2nd Passenger || Of course can lah ||
 * Narrator || Could you demonstrate? ||
 * 1st passenger || Demonstrate? What as in you want us to speak proper English or something? ||
 * Narrator || Yes maybe a sentence or two? ||
 * 2nd passenger || Erm...yeah I guess we could do that. I'm Ben and this is Alfred. We study in the same school - Bukit Panjang Government high that is, and we met each other through our CCA, football. That one can already right? ||
 * Narrator || Yes, I guess that would be fine. So some Singaporeans can code-switch. However, do you think Singlish is of any importance? ||
 * 1st Passenger || Of course lah! Singlish is Singapore language leh. If Singapore don't have Singlish then where else have? ||
 * Narrator || Yes, but Singlish can only be understood by Singaporeans, it isn't even a recognised language per se; so can we therefore abolish Singlish? ||
 * 2nd passenger || Of course cannot lah. Singaporeans are Singaporeans because we can say Singlish right? If you want to speak proper english you go to England lah ||
 * 1st Passenger || Ya lor. I mean singapore got so many races so of course we need a rojak language that everyone can understand lah. Anyway we can also speak proper english what? So what's wrong with Singlish? I mean its something unique to our society, why do we need to change that? You go everywhere also can see the "Uniquely Singapore" That slogan right? So if we want to be unique what is wrong with having our "own" language. ||
 * Narrator || Yes, well even so, coming back to the point about code switching, not everyone can code switch, so foreigners would have trouble communicating. What do you have to say about that? ||
 * 2nd Passenger || But the "base" language for Singlish is still English.Thats why its called Singlish right? If the base language was chinese it would probably be called something like Singnese. So as long as the foreigners know how to speak english they should be able to understand what we are trying to say right? ||
 * 1st Passenger || Exactly. And even if they don't understand some words, they can probably guess from our expression and tone right? Remember when david archuleta came to Singapore? Two of the 987fm DJs went to interview him, and they gave him a few words commonly used in singlish to guess, like "bodoh" and "Walau". They used those words in a sentence and David archuleta managed to guess what they meant on his first try for every one of them, so foreigners should be able to guess the meaning of the sentences right? ||
 * Narrator || Hmm...I see. Well, thank you for your time. ||

__4th Character - Hossan Leong:__


 * Narrator || Now, we will interview one of Singapore's most famous stage and screen actors, Hossan Leong. ||
 * Narrator || We are now at Hossan Leong's workplace. ||
 * Director || And... cut! Take five people. ||
 * || *Door Opens* ||
 * < Narrator ||< Hi Hossan, thanks for agreeing to meet me here today. What are your opinions about the recent debate about Singlish and English? ||
 * < Hossan ||< Well being a Singaporean, I feel that Singlish is a great way to make an impression on the world. I mean, no other country speaks Singlish right? I know they have their own special language but Singlish is one of a kind right? ||
 * < Narrator ||< What do you feel about the use of Singlish in front of people who may not understand it, for example, tourists? ||
 * < Hossan ||< Well... the most important thing is for the Singaporeans to be able to code switch from Singlish to standard English. ||
 * Narrator || Can you introduce any methods to help them code switch? ||
 * Hossan || Hm... since the root language for Singlish is in fact English, there should not really be any problem. However, if it gets too out of hand, the person can get a coach to help him/her learn English. I have coaches to help me with Mandarin and Cantonese scripts. ||
 * Narrator || Can you tell us what you think about Singlish per se? ||
 * Hossan || It is considered by many to be the most internationally intelligible version of English and it seems to stick so well with the general public here in Singapore. I think the government should not reject but embrace it. We should keep Singlish but that does not mean that we should abandon English, so I feel that everyone should learn English, but should have the freedom to use Singlish among their families and friends. ||
 * < Narrator ||< So do you think that Singlish should be abolished? ||
 * < Hossan ||< Of course not! As I have explained before, Singlish is unique to Singapore and it creates an image for us. ||
 * < Narrator ||< Thank you for your time. ||
 * < Hossan ||< No, I am very honoured to even be able to express my views on this topic. ||
 * Director || Okay, back to work people! ||

__5th Character - An English Teacher:__
 * Narrator: || Now we are at Bukit Timah Secondary School. What does a English teacher think about the great English debate? ||
 * Narrator: || Hi, what is your view on Singlish? ||
 * Teacher: || *sigh* Singlish is the bane of my existence. I am kidding, but my students use Singlish in class all the time. It even appears in theirs essays. With sentences like "Teacher very fierce one". It really gives me a headache. ||
 * Narrator: || What about code switching; changing the dialect to fit the occasion? ||
 * Teacher: || Well, my students like to argue that they can code switch, but the truth is evident in their homework. They might stop using loan-words and discourse particles, but they continue to use topic-prominent structure present in Singlish. How do they expect to do well in their O levels? ||
 * Narrator: || Do you think Singlish should be abolished? ||
 * Teacher: || No, it does serve a purpose. Singlish allows people from different races to bond through a common language. ||
 * Narrator: || Do you have any suggestions? ||
 * Teacher: || I think more emphasis should be placed on English. If students learn 'proper' English first, and Singlish second, they should have less problems with code switching. After all its easier to revert to something you learned first. ||
 * Teacher: || I think more emphasis should be placed on English. If students learn 'proper' English first, and Singlish second, they should have less problems with code switching. After all its easier to revert to something you learned first. ||

__6th Character - MOE Representative:__

Hello, may I ask about what is your viewpoint about Singlish. ||
 * Narrator: || Now, after we have seen many viewpoints of Singaporeans, teachers, linguists and tourists, lets see what does the MOE think about Singlish. ||
 * Narrator: || *Enters building, enters lift, walks through corridor* ||
 * < Narrator: ||< *Enters room*
 * < MOE Representative: ||< Singlish, is Singapore's unique language, which is formed by combining many different dilects together. After the British colonization is over, I am glad that Singapore is forming its ways to be a independent country by forming snglish, which defines Singapore's tourism slogan to be 'Uniquely Singapore'. Singlish is a special, but non bennificial languag e for us. That said, while there is a place for Singlish in our lives, there are situations that call for the use of proper English. ||
 * Narrator: || For example? ||
 * MOE Representative: || Using Singlish in front of tourists is quite rude. If you imagine you are a foreigner, and you decide come to Singapore. After a tiring 2 hours of transport you reach Singapore, and your Singaporean friends invite him for dinner, and they croak away in Singlish, and you not understanding anything. Now, the number of students learning Singlish is on the rise. If our young students learn Singlish, it will influence our student's education and Singapore's economy.

Look at our primary school students for example. Now they are starting to use MSN, text messaging, facebook, and because of the convineince to type faster, they use singlish. If they continue to use Singlish, they will use it in their daily conversations, soon it will become a habit, and they will use Singlish in their exams, for example oral, their marks will be pulled down due to the sentence structuring! Look at Singlish, it is one without any subject verb agreement, the singular verb is changed to plural! How can I see our students of Singapore be affected by this language? ||
 * Narrator: || You have a point there. Please continue. ||
 * MOE Representative: || If a singaporean is trying to appeal for a job, and he speaks Singlish to the boss manager, won't he have a bad impression on the Singlish speaking Singaporean? If this continues and no one gets a job, the workforce will be slowed down and the economy will slow too! If some representatives of Singapore goes overseas to discuss about buisness deals speak Singlish to the other representatives to from other countries, I dont think that the other party will understand Singlish, right? ||
 * Narrator: || So do you think that Singlish should be abolished? ||
 * MOE Representative: || This is a very tough question. This 'Singlish'' is a very unique dialect in Singapore, however I would rather it abolished, as Singlish, to me is totally absurd. If Singaporeans know how to code-switch, it would be better! ||
 * Narrator: || Do you have any suggestions on how proper english can be used? ||
 * MOE Representative: || Singapore has taken some initiatives to promote the use of proper english. The Speak Good English Campaign is one example. Also, the governmental schools must be strict with their education and continue to teach good and proper english, so that the english standard in singapore will still be held strong. ||
 * Narrator: || Thank you for your time to share your views with us. ||

__Conclusion:__
 * Narrator: || We have come to the end of our documentary and presented the viewpoints of six people. The common view is that Singlish can be used, but only if the user can code switch. Otherwise foreigners would not understand us. ||