Il faut savoir qu’avant d’arrivée à Singapour, une de mes plus grande peur [outre le fait de ne pas pouvoir manger de chewing-gum et que mon brushing se barre en sucette dès le matin] était que je ne comprenne pas les Singapourien.
On me l’avait bien dit, ils ne parlent pas anglais, ils parlent singlish !Un savant mélange bien à eux de chinois et d’anglais, le tout badigonné d’une bonne couche d’accent ! Et en arrivant, let’s be honest, c’était pas easy easy de les suivre [moi je fais du franglish, c’est ça d’être parfaitement biligual you know
Bref tout ça pour vous dire que ….
Une copine du master a envoyé ça, et je le trouve extrêmement approprié donc je vous le fait tourner :
British English vs. Singaporean English
Who says our English is teruk? Just read below – Ours is simple, short, concise, straight-to-the-point, effective etc.
WHEN GIVING A CUSTOMER BAD NEWS
Britons: I’m sorry, sir, but we don’t seem to have the sweater you want in your size, but if you give me a moment, I can call the other outlets for you.
Singaporean: No stock!
RETURNING A CALL
Britons: Hello, this is John Smith. Did anyone call for me a few moments ago?
Singaporean: Hello, who call huh?
ASKING SOMEONE TO MAKE WAY
Britons: Excuse me, I would like to get by. Would you please make way?
Singaporean: S-kew me..
WHEN SOMEONE OFFERS TO PAY
Britons: Hey! Put your wallet away, this drink is on me.
Singaporean: No need lah.
WHEN ASKING FOR PERMISSION
Britons: Excuse me, but do you think it would be possible for me to enter through this door?
Singaporean: (pointing at the door) Can ah?
WHEN ENTERTAINING
Britons: Please make yourself right at home.
Singaporean: No need shy one lah!
WHEN DOUBTING SOMEONE
Britons: I don’t recall you giving me the money.
Singaporean: Where got?
WHEN DECLINING AN OFFER
Britons: I would prefer not to do that, if you don’t mind.
Singaporean: Don’t want lah.
IN DISAGREEING ON A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION
Britons: Err…Tom, I have to stop you there. I understand where you’re coming from, but I really have to disagree with what you said about the issue.
Singaporean: You mad ah?
WHEN ASKING SOMEONE TO LOWER THEIR VOICE.
Britons: Excuse me, but could you please lower your voice? I’m trying to concentrate over here.
Singaporean: Shut up lah!
WHEN ASKING SOMEONE IF HE/SHE KNOWS YOU..
Britons: Excuse me, but I noticed you staring at me for sometime. Do I know you?
Singaporean: See what, see what?
WHEN ASSESSING A TIGHT SITUATION.
Britons: We seem to be in a bit of a predicament at the moment..
Singaporean: Die lah!!
WHEN TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED
Britons: Will someone tell me what has just happened?
Singaporean: What happened ah? Why like that one lah?
WHEN SOMEONE DID SOMETHING WRONG
Britons: This isn’t the way to do it. Here, let me show you.
Singaporean: Like that also don’t know how to do!
Imaginez maintenant une conversation téléphonique … dur !
But still …