How to Speak Singlish
October 26, 2013 6:30 PM Subscribe
He's like a tiny John McWhorter.
posted by Countess Elena at 7:09 PM on October 26, 2013
posted by Countess Elena at 7:09 PM on October 26, 2013
This is how my mother and her family speak. I grew up listening to Singlish--it's wonderfully expressive. One of my favourite expressions is "Where got meaning?"--used to express disbelief/outrage. It is one of the few expressions I can imitate with perfect Singlish pronunciation.
When he got to this part, I had to make the sign of the cross at the screen because he was doing such a dead-on impression of my scary Yee Poh (great aunt).
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 7:27 PM on October 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
When he got to this part, I had to make the sign of the cross at the screen because he was doing such a dead-on impression of my scary Yee Poh (great aunt).
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 7:27 PM on October 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
I had no idea that Singlish so well expressed the gamut of emotional range from mildly irritated to completely annoyed!
What a charming young person. I adored his handmade signs. And as usual, everyone speaks better English than I do, everywhere in the whole world.
posted by winna at 7:54 PM on October 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
What a charming young person. I adored his handmade signs. And as usual, everyone speaks better English than I do, everywhere in the whole world.
posted by winna at 7:54 PM on October 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
I loved this more than I even thought I would. It seems like he's on coke or something but that's not even a criticism.
posted by sweetkid at 8:27 PM on October 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by sweetkid at 8:27 PM on October 26, 2013 [3 favorites]
Heh, Singlishman.
posted by WalterMitty at 9:31 PM on October 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by WalterMitty at 9:31 PM on October 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
noooOOOooo, I wan' favorite on joke comment!
posted by not_on_display at 10:13 PM on October 26, 2013
posted by not_on_display at 10:13 PM on October 26, 2013
Kid is brilliant. Really interesting too: Super Singlish Salesman at the Marketplace
posted by Foci for Analysis at 5:07 AM on October 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Foci for Analysis at 5:07 AM on October 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
I had already heard of "lah" from the excellent Just Cause 2, where I also learned the useful phrase "AHH HE GOT ME WITH HIS METAL WIRE THING!".
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 5:45 AM on October 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 5:45 AM on October 27, 2013 [1 favorite]
Port towns make speakers with open mouths. Why is that?
posted by eustatic at 5:58 AM on October 27, 2013
posted by eustatic at 5:58 AM on October 27, 2013
Okay, this kid needs to record the audio book of Kevin Kwan's Crazy Rich Asians, please.
posted by jfwlucy at 9:08 AM on October 27, 2013
posted by jfwlucy at 9:08 AM on October 27, 2013
I wrote a guide to Singlish millions of years ago on Everything2. His analysis is pretty good but some parts seem a bit off, although maybe some things have morphed a bit among the younger generation.
There's also the excellent Coxford Singlish Dictionary.
posted by destrius at 10:30 PM on October 27, 2013
There's also the excellent Coxford Singlish Dictionary.
posted by destrius at 10:30 PM on October 27, 2013
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