Discuss about the latest news & interesting topics, real life experience or other out of topic discussions with locals & expatriates in Singapore.
-
macaroonie
- Chatter
- Posts: 337
- Joined: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:09 am
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by macaroonie » Thu, 20 Dec 2012 9:16 am
Can i confirm that the working language of Singapore is English? Is it reasonable to expect english to be spoken in the workplace when discussing work issues?
What do you think when during group meetings, certain individuals talk to each other in other languages, when a particular work issue is being discussed by the group?
-
Sergei82
- Editor
- Posts: 1456
- Joined: Mon, 02 Nov 2009 9:52 pm
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by Sergei82 » Thu, 20 Dec 2012 9:30 am
Everybody will speak to you in English. Only if they have the same native language, they will use that language to talk to each other if they think it is not your concern. It is very rare when they use their own language during some meetings neglecting you (usually managers prevent that).
-
Barnsley
- Manager
- Posts: 2319
- Joined: Tue, 10 Jun 2008 5:22 pm
- Location: Pasir Ris
-
Contact:
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by Barnsley » Thu, 20 Dec 2012 9:48 am
Its usually English if I am in the meeting or work is being discussed, and as said before my boss will make sure the conversation is in English if I am there.
However now and again if I am on a conference call with Taiwan, Mandarin will be used especially if the folk in Taiwan feel like they need to rant. When their tone starts getting higher and higher you know Mandarin is on the way.
Life is short, paddle harder!!
-
v4jr4
- Reporter
- Posts: 887
- Joined: Mon, 09 Jul 2012 11:28 am
- Location: Chocolate Factory
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by v4jr4 » Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:21 am
By default, I'll use English, especially for group discussion with people with different mother tongues.
"Budget Expat"
-
nakatago
- Moderator
- Posts: 8363
- Joined: Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:23 pm
- Location: Sister Margaret’s School for Wayward Children
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by nakatago » Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:24 am
Yup.
"A quokka is what would happen if there was an anime about kangaroos."
-
Wd40
- Director
- Posts: 4591
- Joined: Tue, 04 Dec 2012 10:53 am
-
Answers: 1
- Location: SIndiapore
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by Wd40 » Fri, 21 Dec 2012 11:46 am
Depends on organisation culture. Our company allows people to speak in any languages they want and most teams here are heavy with Filipinos and Indians. In a team meeting if there are only Filipinos then it won't be surprising to see that all are talking in their native language. In case of Indians too same case you will see them speak in Hindi. In case of Indians though there is a problem of some of them from the south who don't understand Hindi and its only then you see them speaking in English.
-
offshoreoildude
- Manager
- Posts: 1582
- Joined: Wed, 04 Jul 2012 9:45 pm
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by offshoreoildude » Fri, 21 Dec 2012 12:01 pm
There are four official languages for business in Singapore. Chinese (Mandarin), Bahasa Melayu, Tamil and English. You need to be conversant in all four and some of the local dialects (Hokkien) and possibly some of your workers languages (Tagalog and Hindi) if you want to be taken seriously here.
Now I'm called PNGMK
-
Cath C
- Regular
- Posts: 76
- Joined: Fri, 07 Dec 2012 12:08 pm
- Location: Singapore
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by Cath C » Fri, 21 Dec 2012 12:12 pm
-
nakatago
- Moderator
- Posts: 8363
- Joined: Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:23 pm
- Location: Sister Margaret’s School for Wayward Children
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by nakatago » Fri, 21 Dec 2012 1:36 pm
Oh boy.
Those Esperanto lessons were a waste then.
/s
"A quokka is what would happen if there was an anime about kangaroos."
-
ututu
- Regular
- Posts: 50
- Joined: Wed, 20 Jun 2007 9:46 am
- Location: Singapore
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by ututu » Fri, 21 Dec 2012 3:03 pm
offshoreoildude wrote:There are four official languages for business in Singapore. Chinese (Mandarin), Bahasa Melayu, Tamil and English. You need to be conversant in all four and some of the local dialects (Hokkien) and possibly some of your workers languages (Tagalog and Hindi) if you want to be taken seriously here.
Well may be in the environment where majority had their education in non-english, perhaps, nothing against construction or shipbuilding site workers, but yeah I'd expect working language non-english in places like that. In quiet & placid places inhabited by office plankton aka air-con offices of CBD working language will be English as it should be. English is the Esperanto nowadays.
-
offshoreoildude
- Manager
- Posts: 1582
- Joined: Wed, 04 Jul 2012 9:45 pm
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by offshoreoildude » Fri, 21 Dec 2012 3:52 pm
ututu wrote:offshoreoildude wrote:There are four official languages for business in Singapore. Chinese (Mandarin), Bahasa Melayu, Tamil and English. You need to be conversant in all four and some of the local dialects (Hokkien) and possibly some of your workers languages (Tagalog and Hindi) if you want to be taken seriously here.
Well may be in the environment where majority had their education in non-english, perhaps, nothing against construction or shipbuilding site workers, but yeah I'd expect working language non-english in places like that. In quiet & placid places inhabited by office plankton aka air-con offices of CBD working language will be English as it should be. English is the Esperanto nowadays.
I absolutely disagree with you and frankly your assertion is half assed. I personally expect English to die out in the next century.
Now I'm called PNGMK
-
x9200
- Moderator
- Posts: 10073
- Joined: Mon, 07 Sep 2009 4:06 pm
- Location: Singapore
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by x9200 » Fri, 21 Dec 2012 3:56 pm
ututu wrote:offshoreoildude wrote:There are four official languages for business in Singapore. Chinese (Mandarin), Bahasa Melayu, Tamil and English. You need to be conversant in all four and some of the local dialects (Hokkien) and possibly some of your workers languages (Tagalog and Hindi) if you want to be taken seriously here.
Well may be in the environment where majority had their education in non-english, perhaps, nothing against construction or shipbuilding site workers, but yeah I'd expect working language non-english in places like that. In quiet & placid places inhabited by office plankton aka air-con offices of CBD working language will be English as it should be. English is the Esperanto nowadays.
The fact that English is a lingua franca globally does not have to imply it is lingua franca in every country and every profession.
-
JR8
- Immortal
- Posts: 16522
- Joined: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:43 pm
- Location: K. Puki Manis
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by JR8 » Fri, 21 Dec 2012 6:37 pm
macaroonie wrote:
What do you think when during group meetings, certain individuals talk to each other in other languages, when a particular work issue is being discussed by the group?
I think I'd find it it very rude, in that it is a public display of separateness from the others. I.e. it seems contrary to the idea and spirit of a
group meeting.
-
offshoreoildude
- Manager
- Posts: 1582
- Joined: Wed, 04 Jul 2012 9:45 pm
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by offshoreoildude » Fri, 21 Dec 2012 6:54 pm
JR8 wrote:macaroonie wrote:
What do you think when during group meetings, certain individuals talk to each other in other languages, when a particular work issue is being discussed by the group?
I think I'd find it it very rude, in that it is a public display of separateness from the others. I.e. it seems contrary to the idea and spirit of a
group meeting.
Rather harsh for those who can't grasp what is said in the main language in the meeting. However if a little filipino / hindi cartel is forming.... it can be a PITA
Now I'm called PNGMK
-
v4jr4
- Reporter
- Posts: 887
- Joined: Mon, 09 Jul 2012 11:28 am
- Location: Chocolate Factory
-
Quote
-
0
login to like this post
Post
by v4jr4 » Fri, 21 Dec 2012 6:59 pm
JR8 wrote:macaroonie wrote:
What do you think when during group meetings, certain individuals talk to each other in other languages, when a particular work issue is being discussed by the group?
I think I'd find it it very rude, in that it is a public display of separateness from the others. I.e. it seems contrary to the idea and spirit of a
group meeting.
Well, different people, different opinion. You remind me about someone on the client said who said the same exact thing. But as for me, I'm fine with it, as long as the team can reach the expected target.
"Budget Expat"
-
-
American Institute Of English Language Noida is best place for learn English
Replies: 1
First post
India is one of most fast growing country all over the world. We know India is second largest highly populated country all over the world and that's...
Last post
India is one of most fast growing country all over the world. We know India is second largest highly populated country all over the world and that's...
- 1 Replies
- 4735 Views
-
Last post by Strong Eagle
Sun, 14 Apr 2019 7:32 am
-
-
- 0 Replies
- 6690 Views
-
Last post by mistella
Thu, 02 May 2019 5:22 pm
-
-
help with language
Replies: 1
First post
Hi all, I'm 21 years old. I am a university student majoring in economics. I am currently working on Chinese. But my listening and speaking skills...
Last post
did u try searching duolingo on your app store or google play store?
its for learning languages
- 1 Replies
- 1976 Views
-
Last post by archcherub
Mon, 17 Jun 2019 3:42 pm
-
-
Polish language tutor
Replies: 2
First post
Hi,
I am looking for a personal Polish language tutor. It seems hard finding one in Singapore. Would appreciate any contacts or help. Thanks!
Last post
There is Polish community in Singapore
- 2 Replies
- 7472 Views
-
Last post by sohappysg
Sun, 06 Sep 2020 10:16 pm
-
-
Need advise on pre-school, living location, and language classes
Replies: 1
First post
Hi All,
My family and I plan to relocate to Singapore by December 2019 and we are a bit divided on the following subjects:
1. pre-school for our son...
Last post
District 18 is where Tampines, pasir ris and Simei is. It's the HDB area where there are some malls, lots of HDB (public housings), on the Eastern...
- 1 Replies
- 2541 Views
-
Last post by abbby
Sun, 22 Sep 2019 10:24 am
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests