Singapore Expats

midlet2013 wrote:Recently, I read somewhere that people can easily read wrongly spelt words as long as the first and last alphabet are in the right position. Of coz, it wont make sense if there are many possible words that can be formed. But, for unique and obvious words, it may be possible to read with ease.

I've seen this, and examples, and how the theory was proven. It's interesting in that if you are reading, you don't read each individual word, and then conclude what each sentence means, instead; Yuo reed eech wurd and enstinctifffly mek cents fram de parce.
The original article took several paragraphs, and then reproduced each in progressively more 'mashed' English. It was really quite amazing how mashed it could get, but you could still interpret the meaning.
That said English is a veeeery elastic language, and even with major abuse it can usually still be understood. Maybe why it remains pre-eminent.

Naturally I'm sure if the jumble were derived from your mother-tongue it might be instinctive, otherwise I expect it makes no sense at all. Do any form of mashing to Norwegian, even the lilt or emphasis of the tone and you might as well be speaking Martian.

But the fact remains, this is a multi-lingual polyglot, and if you are asking a serious question here, it's in your own interests to do your best to speak/write in such a way that the broadest audience will understand.
And writing in 'text-speak' marks you out as naive as to the above fact, and only works against a writer. I.e. why should anyone bother to reply to someone who feels a need to abbreviate the word 'because'?

midlet2013 wrote:Recently, I read somewhere that people can easily read wrongly spelt words as long as the first and last alphabet are in the right position. Of coz, it wont make sense if there are many possible words that can be formed. But, for unique and obvious words, it may be possible to read with ease.

True, but good spoken and written English isn't going to hurt. If anything, it could be a big differentiator in your career. Making simple mistakes like quiet vs quite and lose vs loose could cost you a job offer or a promotion. I can tell you my relatively better English skills and neutral spoken accent has given me rich rewards in my career.

It's a bit like a job application - you need something that really stands out and differentiates you from the rest. The things you have listed above are kind of, well, ordinary.

zinc32 wrote:Strong eagle - thanks for correction in my English ! I wasn't looking for that at this forum

Shouldn't it be "thanks for correcting... " .

Or, "thanks for 'the' corrections in my English!"

Or, 'thanks for correcting my English!"

sundaymorningstaple wrote:Or, "thanks for 'the' corrections in my English!"

Thanks for the corrections TO my English.

Strong Eagle wrote: Thanks for the corrections TO my English.

Or indeed, thanks too for correcting my English

Oh good lord. It is Monday and the Friday vibe is already here!

Interesting, this thread became English lesson which really benefits to ppl like me. still struggling to learn the correct English speaking and writing. thanks all.

Sp1d3rMan wrote:I....still struggling to learn the correct English speaking and writing.

We noticed.

Sp1d3rMan wrote:Interesting, this thread became English lesson which really benefits to ppl like me. still struggling to learn the correct English speaking and writing. thanks all.

Because if Singapore will continue to market itself as an English-literate country, people who would be permanently residing in it will have to speak and write English.

Agreed. When i started my first job in SG, most of my colleague always laughed at my M'sian English Slang but they corrected me as well. Learn from hard way.

An interesting opinion piece on the state of English in Malaysia. http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015 ... aysia.html

Strong Eagle wrote:An interesting opinion piece on the state of English in Malaysia. http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015 ... aysia.html

Oh, Wong Chun Wai. How I dearly miss his writings! He used to my inspiration when I was in school. Good thing The Star (the newspaper he writes for) has yet to go 100% under the thumb of the government in its radicalised scheme. I'd recommend his writings to those who wants to read more about the goings in Malaysia from local perspective but expect a slightly conservative tone in his message.

u have pr for 8year have never consider apply for citizen ?