Singlish 101
Singlish is spoken in this country.
Singapore
How many students participated in Tan's (2008) study?
260 Students
According to Galloway & Rose, this is more important than perfect grammar.
Communication skills
This type of attitude is based on beliefs or knowledge — for example, thinking one English variety is 'incorrect.'
Cognitive attitude
Singlish blends English with these three languages (name any two).
Malay, Mandarin, Tamil (any two accepted)
Tan's study took place across many neighborhood schools in Singapore.
5 schools
G&R identifies these three areas where institutional bias against non-standard English shows up.
Hiring, materials (textbooks/resources), and feedback
This type of attitude is based on emotional response, for example, feeling proud of your local accent.
Affective attitude
This is the term for speakers switching between Singlish and Standard English depending on the situation.
Code switching
In the study, students listened to recordings of a speaker in three varieties. Name one of the three.
Singlish, Standard English (SE), or SE with an American accent
G&R describe a 'heart vs. head' conflict. What does 'head' represent in this tension?
Believing local English is less professional / standard English is more valuable
This type of attitude describes how you actually behave based on your beliefs, for example, avoiding Singlish in job interviews.
Behavioral attitude
The Singaporean government did this to Singlish in classrooms.
Banned it (as part of the Speak Good English Movement)
According to Tan's findings, students valued Standard English for this reason.
Future success / professional opportunities
G&R describe a 'heart vs. head' conflict. What does 'heart' represent?
Loving and valuing your local English variety / emotional attachment
What was the debate motion we used earlier?
'Non-standard English varieties should be officially recognized and taught alongside Standard English in schools.'
DAILY DOUBLE! Translate this Singlish sentence into Standard English: 'Today whole day rain, cannot go out mah. Very sian leh.'
'It's been raining the whole day so I can't go out. It's really boring.'
Tan found that Singlish scored the lowest on this trait, but students still used it for group belonging and solidarity. This hidden value has a name.
Covert prestige
G&R argue that English used as a shared tool between non-native speakers challenges the idea that this group owns 'correct' English.
Native speakers (native-speakerism)
Name ONE argument the Proposition side used in your group's debate.
Any of: Validates speakers' identities & culture / Covert prestige is real / ELF shows 'native standard' is a myth / Singlish speakers thrive