Saturday, April 29, 2006
haha, cannot always just post about our memories so added in some learning for everyone.. let's learn together... speak up. speak out. speak well...
Alphabet Singlish: My name starts with the alphabet 'K'. How many alphabets does your name have?
Good English: My name starts with the letter 'K'. How many letters does your name have?
In Singlish, 'alphabet' is often used to mean 'letter of the alphabet'. In good English, the alphabet refers to the writing system that consists of 26 letters, not the letters themselves.
BlurSinglish: You are really blur! Try not to make so many mistakes!
Good Engish: You are really stupid! Try not to make so many mistakes!
In Singlish, 'blur' is used to describe someone as being confused or ignorant. In good English, on the other hand, 'blur' refers to a lack of visual clarity.
Catch no ballSinglish: His instructions are so complex, I catch no ball.
Good English: His instructions are so complex, I can't understand them.
Singlish speakers often use the phrase 'catch no ball' to indicate that there is a lack of comprehension. This is not at all a familiar phrase for non-Singlish speakers.
ChopSinglish: Can you chop this document for me?
Good English: Can you stamp this document for me?
To chop something is to cut it into pieces. Non-Singlish speakers use 'stamp' (from 'rubber stamp') instead of 'chop'.
Fetch, sendSinglish: I'll fetch you to the airport.
I'll send you to the airport.
Good English: I'll take you to the airport.
In good English, to fetch someone or something is to go to another place and to then bring them or it back. Therefore you cannot fetch someone to the airport although you can fetch someone from the airport.
Also, if you send someone to the airport, it means that you have caused them to go to the airport, but you do not accompany them there. This is quite different from Singlish where 'send' can be used even when the sender accompanies the person being sent.
Follow Singlish: Can I follow you?
Good English: Can I come along with you?
Singlish speakers often use 'follow' to mean 'accompany' or 'get a ride from'. But for non-Singlish speakers, to follow someone is to be travelling separately from and behind that person.
Is it?Singlish: He's going home, is it?
They saw the show, is it?
Good English: He was going home, was he?
They weren't going to see the show, were
they?
KeepSinglish: Please keep your notes, the quiz is about to begin.
Good English: Please put away your notes, the quiz is about to begin.
In Singlish, 'keep' is often used to mean 'put away'. But for non-Singlish speakers, 'keep' is never used in this sense. The closest meaning is the use of 'keep' to mean 'maintain possession', as in 'Keep your money, I don't want it.'
Sir Singlish: I saw my sir at the shopping centre yesterday.
Good English: I saw my teacher at the shopping centre yesterday.
In Singlish, 'sir' is often used as a common noun to mean 'teacher'. But in good English, 'sir' is only used as a form of address, as in 'Sir, can you please sign this form?'
To on/to offSinglish: If it's too dark, I can on the lights.
Don't off the TV; I want to watch the news.
Good English: If it's too dark, I can turn on the lights.
Don't switch off the TV; I want to watch the news.
In Singlish, 'on' and 'off' are often used to describe the action of (de-)activating an electrical appliance. In good English, these are used with verbs such as 'switch' or 'turn' so that we have 'switch on/off' and 'turn on/off' instead.
WearSinglish: She went into the room to wear her new dress.
Good English: She went into the room to put on her new dress.
The verb 'wear' describes the state of having something on, and not the action of putting it on. But in Singlish, 'wear' is often used to refer to the action itself.
Cun love u at Saturday, April 29, 2006
