Very often, many ALs who visit our blog have mentioned that their bad standard of English is not an issue as the usage of language is up to an individual. However, this very idea in fact is quite shallow as the negative impacts that bad language command can bring about are existent, and adverse.
Recently, Ris Low has sparked media attention due to her appalling English standards despite her being crowned Miss Singapore 2009. Many have also mentioned that her bad language command reflects the standard of English in Singapore’s society, and that her being chosen was a downright disgrace to our country. However, another question that we have to ask ourselves is: why are many Singaporeans such weak in the language?
Singlish, a term coined from the combination of Singapore and English, is often used by Singaporeans to communicate to one another. Originating due to the multicultural society, Singlish has become an idiosyncratic Lingua Franca of Singaporeans. Singlish does not cause any negative impacts per se, but the inability of many people to code switch, especially those weak in the language, usually leads to a bad standard of English in formal situations. One example would be the abovementioned Ris Low.
This brings me back to the topic of ALs. Most of the time, ALs employ an atrocious command of language in conversing with others. Despite having such bad language, they refuse to look up a dictionary in order to improve their English. As a result of constantly twitting and/or combining other languages with English, their standard of English drops radically.
Singapore’s economy depends largely on foreign investments and tourism. Due to our small land space and lack of natural resources, Singapore is forced to depend on other countries for its continued economic survival and progress as a nation. English is an international language, thought not everyone can speak it. Yet, it is the only language that we need to know fundamentally in order to converse with people of different nationalities. The United States of America (USA) has the highest GDP in the world, and is also a country that Singapore’s economy depends on largely. If we lack the Basic English skills, how is it possible to invest there, and perhaps survive economically?
A relatively short post, but it brings the point across: bad English does not simply affect an individual. Especially if it is on a large scale, it can affect an entire nation’s image and perhaps economy. If anyone thinks that the blog which we have created is a waste of time, think again.
Recently, Ris Low has sparked media attention due to her appalling English standards despite her being crowned Miss Singapore 2009. Many have also mentioned that her bad language command reflects the standard of English in Singapore’s society, and that her being chosen was a downright disgrace to our country. However, another question that we have to ask ourselves is: why are many Singaporeans such weak in the language?
Singlish, a term coined from the combination of Singapore and English, is often used by Singaporeans to communicate to one another. Originating due to the multicultural society, Singlish has become an idiosyncratic Lingua Franca of Singaporeans. Singlish does not cause any negative impacts per se, but the inability of many people to code switch, especially those weak in the language, usually leads to a bad standard of English in formal situations. One example would be the abovementioned Ris Low.
This brings me back to the topic of ALs. Most of the time, ALs employ an atrocious command of language in conversing with others. Despite having such bad language, they refuse to look up a dictionary in order to improve their English. As a result of constantly twitting and/or combining other languages with English, their standard of English drops radically.
Singapore’s economy depends largely on foreign investments and tourism. Due to our small land space and lack of natural resources, Singapore is forced to depend on other countries for its continued economic survival and progress as a nation. English is an international language, thought not everyone can speak it. Yet, it is the only language that we need to know fundamentally in order to converse with people of different nationalities. The United States of America (USA) has the highest GDP in the world, and is also a country that Singapore’s economy depends on largely. If we lack the Basic English skills, how is it possible to invest there, and perhaps survive economically?
A relatively short post, but it brings the point across: bad English does not simply affect an individual. Especially if it is on a large scale, it can affect an entire nation’s image and perhaps economy. If anyone thinks that the blog which we have created is a waste of time, think again.
