The Moley Prophet

Having spent some time overseas, I realized what it means and takes to be Singaporean. You are not a Singaporean just because you hold a pink I/C, drive a car which costs 3 times the amount others pay, live in a neighborhood where every building is a high rise building. You are a Singaporean when you could speak 'Singlish'. No, no, I'm not saying we should speak 'Singlish' as our first language, I would be 'shot' in a Toastmasters meeting for saying that. What I'm saying is, lets all speak in our informal language, when we meet for that informal gathering.

'Singlish' isn't all that bad. It is just a language which no one else other than we and our neighbor understands. And it doesn't mean that only those who speak 'Singlish' speaks 'broken' English. I've seen lots of weird English in the 'American land'.

I would find it perfectly normal when I hear someone say, "Flip it over before it gets chao ta-ed" at a BBQ, or "Can you kope some of the drinks for me?",  or "Who's that ang moh?", or "Wayang", or "That guy is so Ah Beng/The girl is so Ah Lian", and whatever other 'Singlish' stuff I couldn't remember at this time. In fact, I find 'Singlish' pretty useful when I'm out of South East Asia. It gets tough when everyone around you seem to know a language that you knew and you can't communicate with your friends without being overheard. That's when 'Singlish' comes in handy. That's when you get excited that you finally know something useful. =D Feel free to add in whatever other 'Singlish' you know.