Quirks of Singaporean English

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I just read a fascinating post on English in Singapore. Specifically, how they love to use modal verbs.

For example, answering requests with "can":

Could you please get me a copy of this document when you return?'
'Can!'

'Would you be able to make it for dinner tonight?'
'Can!'


That's actually kind of wonderful in its literalism. It reminds me of the old joke teachers and older siblings often play.
An unsuspecting student asks, "Can I go to the bathroom?"
"I don't know. Can you?
This eventually results in the more polite and accurate question: "May I go to the bathroom?"


Another commenter on Singaporean in London notes that,
Singaporeans also like to use the words 'Never', 'Must', 'Have to' which considered absolutes and very strong words by non-Singaporeans. A korean colleague, when he first arrived in Singapore had a taxi-driver telling him that he must go to Sentosa. He found it a tad complusive, almost like an order


Check out this earlier post, English for Britons and Singaporeans for some quirks of the British as well as great comments on Singaporish.

 
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wankongyew - 20 November, 2008

Hah, is that ever familiar. Note that this applies to Malaysia as well as to Singapore. If you're ever hard up for examples, consider a visit to the popular Lowyat.net forums where examples of Malaysian English abound. Be warned that it may drive you bananas if you're grammar and spelling nazi.

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