Speaking multiculturalism in Singapore – literally

Singapore's distinctive blend of cultures and languages is beautifully reflected in its unique form of English, colloquially known as Singlish. During a recent linguistics course, many younger classmates were proud to champion the use of Singlish, seeing it as a representation of their local culture. Some found it hard to understand why anyone would view Singlish as inferior to "standard" English or why its use should be restricted, as long as speakers could switch between Singlish and more formal English when needed.

This sentiment had me feeling both validated and uncomfortable, as I myself had been taught to regard Singlish as "bad English" for as long as I could remember. The official stance of speaking "proper" English was understandable during Singapore's earlier stages of globalisation, as it was seen as critical for business and interaction with the world outside.

However, today, the linguistic community regards Singlish as a legitimate variant of Singapore English, which is considered a variety of English like Indian or Hong Kong English. Singlish, with its grammar, vocabulary, and syntax drawn from various local languages, truly embodies Singapore's multicultural character. The growing acceptance of Singlish as Singapore's unique linguistic identity is a testament to our linguistic confidence and pride in our multi-identity.