Say, Singapore

Being a true-blue Singaporean, I've got myself more disk space than the usual 2MB alloted to most homesteaders. Not through any "first-come-first-serve-basis" applications, but by getting my site featured (yes, featured!). But Fellow Singaporeans would still say I really displayed the spirit of kiasuism. What's the word? It's what Singaporeans can easily identify with -- "the fear of losing out". And it is this kind of words that make Singlish what it is. And what's Singlish? Singapore English. The non-standard one, that is.

Being featured isn't an easy thing -- the toughest test is the waiting time. I got through it, and thought that since I was given so much disk space, I'd set up a new section, which is this ... Say, Singapore.

What is put up here isn't only about Singlish. It's about Singapore. I don't know what I can find or come up with, so let things come slowly yeah? Hopefully this section will provide a better insight to Singapore, like you've never realised before.

First, Singlish. To be more enlightening, Singlish is actually a form of English, only that it's flooded with Singapore slang. Because Singapore is a multi-racial society, it's kind of a place where the languages all mix together. You know how difficult it is to communicate with a person who speaks a totally different language. And it is because of this that I guess Singlish has evolved so fast -- there is a pressing need to get in touch with everybody. And Singlish is the tool -- a common language for communication, where words from the different languages get put together to form sentences.

Language is a dynamic thing, and especially so for Singlish. Someone who doesn't live in Singapore will never be able to understand Singlish in a matter of hours, although it's like English. Frankly, I've often been caught in conservations quite often.

Singaporeans are rather divided on this language : some feel it's a cool idea to speak in a "native" tongue, and some are truly disgusted at the thought of this non-standard from of English fast becoming a national identity. Me? I don't know, really.

Anyway, here are two versions of the "Singlish-English Dictionary". I got them through email, and the origins are unknown. I'd gladly acknowledge the authors of the dictionaries if anybody could tell me who they really are. Funny for Singaporeans, enlightening for foreigners to Singlish. One tip to greater understanding to the dictionary : the words are pronounced most accurately using simple phoenetics.

| Volume I | Volume II |

Well, Singapore isn't all about Singlish. There are definitely other things which attract people like shopping. So Singapore has been dubbed a shopping paradise. Quite true, actually.

If you've been to Singapore or live in Singapore, you'd realise there are many places to shop. And only a few years back, The Great Singapore Sale was introduced to propel this national hobby to greater heights, and also to attract more tourists. Usually the Sale would be held in early July for one month, but always before this Great Sale, the department stores would have their own sale, it often leaves me wondering what goodies would be left for grabs during the ultimate Sale.

The Great Singapore Sale doesn't get very good public opinion, but maybe it'd be a change this year, hopefully. I'd say you should wait for the sale to get something you want. Rather, just go walk in those shopping complexes and see what fancies you. Isn't that the true spirit of shopping?!

In fact, Singaporean stores are never short of ideas when it comes to organising a sale. I was taking a bus home one adternoon, when I passed by this store, with a sign that reads "Get-To-Know-Us Sale". Opening Sale, they mean.

| Singapore Shopping Village |

Hey, what do you know? It's also a food paradise here in Singapore. Now this I agree. And as fanatics would have it, there are also annual food festivals, but as for the date, I do not know.

But who needs a festival to feast?? Talk about food, and most likely Singaporeans would babble all day long. There's a saying which goes something like "where there is water, there is man". Here, it's "where there is a shopping complex, there is food". And not just simple fare. Food courts are the rage now, and they do not stand alone.

Although Singapore's food fare couldn't be really said as "cuisine" like the Chinese and French, there is really a wide variety you can taste. Don't forget -- it's a multi-racial society over here.

Spice is something indispensable to many people, but you shouldn't worry too much if you can swallow it. I never like spicy things too, but I still get satisfying meals all through my life, even now.

People would probably say "ice kachang" is something exclusive to Singapore, but Malaysia has it too. It's all too difficult to say what is exotic food. It is very true that Singaporeans are very adventurous when it comes to food. When there is a special festival, like Mooncake Festival (celebrated mostly by the Chinese, and which falls somewhere around September), whoa!! All sorts of mooncakes would be available -- you name it, the restaurants have it. And that includes a special kind with gold foil pasted on the top. Neat huh?!

| Singapore Food Tavern | Singapore Unofficial Food Page |

So it's what I have for the moment. By the end of this July, I'll be adding a few more things here. If you want to know more, just tell me, and I'll try to add it here.