The Allusionist cover image

The Allusionist

202. Singlish Singlish

Oct 29, 2024
Gwee Li Sui, a Singaporean poet and academic, discusses the challenges he faced in promoting Singlish as a valid form of expression. He emphasizes its cultural and literary importance. Stacey Mei Yan Fong, an author and baker, shares her personal journey from feeling embarrassed about Singlish to embracing it as a comforting connection to her heritage. They explore the evolution of Singlish from stigma to acceptance, highlighting its role in government communication and cultural identity.
42:52

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Quick takeaways

  • Gwee Li Sui emphasizes the need to elevate Singlish as a legitimate language with unique grammar and cultural significance through literary translations.
  • Stacey Mei Yan Fong reflects on her journey of embracing Singlish as a comforting and integral part of her identity, transforming her initial embarrassment into pride.

Deep dives

The Significance of Singlish in Identity

Growing up in Singapore, Singlish served as a comforting cultural connection for many, yet it was often met with embarrassment due to external perceptions of 'proper' English. This duality is felt deeply by individuals like Stacey Mayan Fong, who found her familial roots in Singlish both triggering and reassuring throughout her life. While conversations with her family would underscore the language's casualness, environments outside of home demanded a different linguistic decorum, creating a tension between identity and social expectations. With maturity, Fong learned to embrace Singlish, recognizing it as a vital part of her identity that fosters connection to her heritage.

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