Is there a need for all the pretense?
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The answer is 'perspective'. You probably felt that the words they used are 'bombastic', hence giving them a false sense of heightened intellect.Originally posted by Bloop...:...ditto to big words and fancy-schemancy language when teeny-tiny words and plain grammer will do. 'why' ?
From my point of view, they are writing in a manner which they are most comfortable with. Frankly, looking at the consistency of their posts, I think they would appear to be more out of place if they typed in Singlish just to blend in with Singlish-speaking Singaporeans.
On the other hand, elindra probably felt the lady at the deli was out of place with her forcced accent, and would have been more natural if she spoke Singlish.
We won't know for sure unless we're there. And even if we were there, the matter of whether her forced accent sounds natural or not is also subject to difference of opinion.
EDIT: Argh..I got ninja'ed by rhonda. I'm not trying to parrot the moderators. Just happens I keep getting that 'congested traffic' page. -
Hey, MrIllusion, it's a pleasure reading your posts! Thanks for taking an objective view.
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Yes, just like she prob felt that she was speaking effortlessly too.Originally posted by Rhonda:And perhaps, you do not read well.
I do not deliberately use 'big words and flairful language' because the words just flow from me as I type my posts. I do not sit here and induce a royal headache thinking of how to make my posts articulate and what-not. I type as I think.
You aren't as open-minded nor as magnanimous as you are trying to make yourself sound because look who dealt the first blow in criticising my post?
You are being elitist yourself, if you haven't already noticed.
So, don't play the self-righteous card. 
...another thing, I never claimed to be magnanimous. Hell, I'm all for throwing the first stone. If my house crumbles because of that... thats the way the marshmallow melts...
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I like the middle ground. Its nice and warm and non-confrontational.Originally posted by Rhonda:Hey, MrIllusion, it's a pleasure reading your posts! Thanks for taking an objective view.
Plus I wouldn't want to incur the wrath of the moderators... -
"objective" sure... sure...Originally posted by Rhonda:Hey, MrIllusion, it's a pleasure reading your posts! Thanks for taking an objective view. -
Double post... crappy servers!
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Double post... crappy servers!
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Double post... crappy servers!
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Double post... crappy servers!
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Hey we don't abuse our powersOriginally posted by MrIllusion:I like the middle ground. Its nice and warm and non-confrontational.
Plus I wouldn't want to incur the wrath of the moderators...
But won't you feel caught sometimes in the middle ground because sometimes, you can't really stay there as it can be a hot seat
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Originally posted by MrIllusion:I like the middle ground. Its nice and warm and non-confrontational.
Plus I wouldn't want to incur the wrath of the moderators...
Hey, come hang out with us one day! You'll find out that we're a crazy bunch! 
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Sure, I would believe that if she didn't stumble over her speech or switched to a local accent while speaking to her friend, and have trouble switching back when speaking to the aunty and replied with Mandarin instead in the end.Originally posted by Bloop...:Yes, just like she prob felt that she was speaking effortlessly too.
Anyway, why are you over so defensive over an observation I made? Unless you are the party I'm talking about? -
Exactly! Felt... Perception...Originally posted by MrIllusion:The answer is 'perspective'. You probably felt that the words they used are 'bombastic', hence giving them a false sense of heightened intellect.
From my point of view, they are writing in a manner which they are most comfortable with. Frankly, looking at the consistency of their posts, I think they would appear to be more out of place if they typed in Singlish just to blend in with Singlish-speaking Singaporeans.
On the other hand, elindra probably felt the lady at the deli was out of place with her forcced accent, and would have been more natural if she spoke Singlish.
We won't know for sure unless we're there. And even if we were there, the matter of whether her forced accent sounds natural or not is also subject to difference of opinion.
EDIT: Argh..I got ninja'ed by rhonda. I'm not trying to parrot the moderators. Just happens I keep getting that 'congested traffic' page.
Just like "maybe" these moderators really speak this way, maybe that lady really speaks that way?
Maybe she's just like me, half "Ang Mo Kia"?
Hell, maybe I am that lady? -
allow my 2 cents worth on this issue.
*puts on fire-resistant armour to protect myself from Flaming*
At my work place, I work with Ang Mo's, Indians and Chinese.
- When speaking with the Ang Mo's, I found it so difficult to stamp out the Lah's and the Leh's, and in doing so, i seriously feel like Jackie Chan in his first English movie- someone who barely knows english.
- When I spoke with the Indians, they barely understood the English that was coming out from my mouth! Not that I understood them well either.. but the fact was that- even with their heavy accent and their head shaking ( ). They were speaking in grammatically correct sentences. So who says that you must speak like a British to be grammatically correct?
- When speaking with the Chinese (in Mandarin), I realise that we are so used to adding English or Singlish into our Mandarin. The China Chinese who are working here have learned to adapt to our style. But if you need to do biz in China, who will bother to adapt to you?
I'm sure i'm not the only singaporean that faces this. People just don't want to admit that on a macro level, our linguistic aptitude here in singapore (both Mandarin and English) is simply ATROCIOUS.
When the government steps in to say that it is becoming a problem, SG-reans just love to complain and say that the government is trying to erode our identity, propaganda, etc., etc... and undermine all the good intentions.
There's nothing wrong in using Singlish. if you look at my other posts, u'll find me using them all the time. But when the time comes, where you need to step up to the world stage and do a proper presentation.. Are you sure, with the standard of English you are so used to, you will be up to it? -
We heard you loud and clear the first time. Don't repeat
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Another double post by Bloop
This is not another blooper is it? -
If anyone is wondering why these posts are edited, they are all repeats. If anyone's interested to know what's it about, it's the post above k4korny's post.
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Point taken. You really don't need to spam.
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??? Is this forum hosted off an iPaq?
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??? Is this forum hosted off an iPaq?
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LOL! I see the server hasn't been too kind to you as well. I suspect the high traffic is due to the SGgirls forum.Originally posted by Bloop...:Point taken. You really don't need to spam. -
Not my fault... but I apologize anyway. I only posted once and it kept swinging me between, "now taking you to your page" and "high traffic, please wait".
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Heh.What is bombastic anyway?Originally posted by elindra:This topic is not about the standard of English in Singapore
Then again, since we are on it, if what Rhonda typed is deemed bombastic, I am really worried about the standard of English in Singapore, especially so with China opening up and the Chinese sooo hungry and eagar to master the English language!
Something tough to person A might be a cakewalk for person B.
And yes, our English standard is dropping like flies in a Baygon factory.
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Why? Well, because just about everyone I know here, except my closest friends and relatives, speak to me with an accent too. Whatever their reason may be, it's their choice and yes, I did take some offence to your postOriginally posted by elindra:Sure, I would believe that if she didn't stumble over her speech or switched to a local accent while speaking to her friend, and have trouble switching back when speaking to the aunty and replied with Mandarin instead in the end.
Anyway, why are you over so defensive over an observation I made? Unless you are the party I'm talking about? Especially, when you were using English unlike that most Singaporean's would.
It seemed to me a little bit like a man in a lime green jumpsuit telling another in a luminous yellow leotard that he looks stupid and should change. -
Originally posted by k4korny:
I feel that part of our linguistic problem is due to the compulsory learning of both English and mother-tongue. I can't speak for the Malays and Indians, but most Chinese who prefer their mother-tongue tend to think in Mandarin, before translating their sentences into English. If you think about the sentence structure of Singlish, you will see what I mean.
I'm sure i'm not the only singaporean that faces this. People just don't want to admit that on a macro level, our linguistic aptitude here in singapore (both Mandarin and English) is simply ATROCIOUS.
I come from a school where almost everyone speaks English. The problem with the students is that the majority has very poor grades for second language. People like me think of a sentence in English, then translate it into Mandarin.
Classic case of 'you can't have your cake and eat it'.When the government steps in to say that it is becoming a problem, SG-reans just love to complain and say that the government is trying to erode our identity, propaganda, etc., etc... and undermine all the good intentions.
I have no problems if the government sees a potential problem and acknowledges it. But when the root of the problem is caused by a policy of their own design (in my opinion), I should have the right to be sceptical.
I also disagree that their current stance of using rap and hip hop to better our mastery of English, and the use of English to facilitate the teaching of Mandarin is a step forward.