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Our Singlish still got future or not? The kids will tell you
Despite worries about forgotten phrases, young Singaporeans are proving to be passionate guardians of our cherished local lingo.
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Performers from the People’s Association showcasing Singapore’s unique identity at a preview of the National Day Parade, at the Padang, on Aug 1, 2015.
ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
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In Singapore, if you’re feeling particularly pugnacious – itching to stir up some fuss at a stale dinner party, revive a fading family gathering, or jolt awake a sleepy WhatsApp group – you could always talk politics or food. Both reliably spark strong opinions, though admittedly they’re a bit predictable.
Here’s something better: Singlish. Or more broadly, the colourful universe of Singaporeanisms – those uniquely local phrases, expressions and linguistic ticks we pinjam from everywhere: Malay, Hokkien, Teochew, Tamil. It’s guaranteed to get everyone piping up; even the quiet ones have something to say.
