8 replies to this topic

[nana shansky]

I always wondered what the main language was in Singapore. I've heard that it's singaporian but then i wondered how you all from Singapore typed so well in English. I mean, it wouldn't be your native language and i thought maybe the computer translated it. Can someone please explain?

[nana shansky]

can anyone help?

[SouthPaw]

In most countries where the poeple don't speak English as their main language, they are taught English in school. So they are learning their main language, plus English, which I think would be hard. That's probably why the people from Singapore are typing good English. In fact, it's better than mine.

[dusty]

Hi there nana,
i thought i had answered your question already when you asked it in another topic (i think it was the topic about where Singapore is).

anyway, in Singapore, we have 4 official languages: English, Mandarin (Chinese), Malay, Tamil. these are used by the 4 main races here: chinese, malays, indians & eurasians. English is taught in school and also used to teach other subjects. most of us would learn a 2nd language, our mother tongue, as well. English is also used at work and businesses so you can say that it's the main language here.

English is widely used because we were a british colony back in the early 1800s. we gained independence in 1965 after a brief 2-year merger with malaysia in 1963.

P.S. there is no such thing as 'singaporian', lol. citizens from Singapore are known as 'Singaporeans' and 'Singlish' (a jumble of English and other native phrases) is a very unofficial language that we sometimes use.

hope this helps!

[hwamshie]

I thought you guys spoke singlish?! (from I not stupid movie)

By the way, I don't get some of your language like:

Siao, and some other stuff i forgot.

[dusty]

hwamshie,
you watched 'I not stupid'!?

well, we tend to speak singlish in casual conversations. but we can't use them in school exams and serious work settings of course.

for a list of Singlish phrases and uses, refer to this:
http://www.hamsterhideout.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=2938

incidentally, 'Siao' means 'crazy' in hokkien dialect. the same dialect used by the taiwanese. :P

[hwamshie]

hehehe, that cleared up a lot of things.

I not stupid is like, so popular in HK. We even had this tv based series ever weekend on them.

[nana shansky]

o wow, tnx! that really helps! know i understand...just wondering

[Mr. Bobo]

ya. i was wondering that too.