No need Speak Good Engrish Movement, lah.

The Speak Good English Movement is back, folks. This time, the theme is “Get It Right!”

Personally, my reaction to the entire campaign is, “Get It Away!”

Sure, it’s important to be able to speak standard English well. It makes you look more professional, and, frankly speaking, more intelligent. It helps your cause a lot if you can articulate in grammatically-correct English. But do we really need a campaign for this? A taxpayers-money-chugging campaign?

The objectives of the campaign are as follows:
- Ensure Singaporeans recognise the importance of speaking Standard English
- Encourage Singaporeans to speak Standard English

Ignoring the fact that these two things should already be sufficiently instilled in school (and if it isn’t, then it’s an issue for the schools to deal with), I was listening to the discussion on about the Speak Good English Movement on Chinese radio (what a twist!) and realised that they were talking about the importance of speaking standard English over Singlish, claiming that Singlish was ruining it for Singaporeans. As in, we should stop speaking Singlish and all start speaking standard English. Like, right now.

NOW HOLD ON A MINUTE…

I love Singlish. Singlish is a part of us, a part of Singapore. Our national identity would be nothing without it. It’s something that really connects us and sets us apart. I never quite comprehended how precious it was until I went to live in New Zealand for four years. Every time I heard that all-to-familiar accent and all the colloquialisms, it felt like I was home again. When you’re living overseas, that feeling is more awesome than any photo of home you’ll see.

I understand the importance of speaking good English. I understand that it is necessary that Singaporeans know when to switch from Singlish to standard English (i.e. professional, formal situations). But we don’t need a campaign to try to root out Singlish and replace it with standard English.

Image from SerialDeviant.org

Imagine telling the Australians that they can’t use slang or colloquialisms like “barbie”, “brekkie” or “dunny”. Tell the Kiwis that they can’t say “sweet as!” or “kai” or “out in the wops”. Try telling any English-speaking society that they have to get rid of the colloquialisms unique to their nation and all just speak plain standard English. They’d probably tell you to eff off, accompanied with various choice colourful expressions unique to their particular area. So why is the government trying so hard to get rid of Singapore’s colloquial language? Isn’t it just ironic that while they speak of the national identity and the Singapore Spirit, they are trying to get rid of one of the most Singaporean thing there is?

The people on the Chinese radio said it was because the foreigners are complaining that they can’t understand us. Well, my answer to that would be, “If you’re going to move here and live in Singapore, then I suggest you get with the programme.” It makes no sense that we’re expected to eradicate one of the most essential aspects of our Singaporean culture to accommodate foreigners. Shouldn’t they be learning our local ways to integrate with us? When I lived in New Zealand, none of my Kiwi friends were expected to stop using Kiwi slang words or Maori terms; I just had to learn and get used to it. It was all part of the experience of living in New Zealand, and I loved it.

So please, speak standard English when you have to go for a job interview or do a business presentation, by all means, but LET SINGLISH STAY!

I, for one, am going to continue speaking it with relish.