"Artiste" - Singlish definition

[NorrinRadd]

ar·tiste noun \är-ˈtēst\

Definition of ARTISTE

1: a public performer; specifically a musical or theatrical entertainer, unknown anywhere outside of Singapore, except possibly Malaysia

2: a person of questionable artistic or creative qualities

[nakatago]

wah. you are knowledgeable one.

artiste different meaning is it?

[the lynx]

care to share your dictionary source?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Definitely not Webster's nor Collins Int'l.

Something like the world according to Garp?

Definitions according to Norrin? But still have to say, locally, his definition holds true.

[nakatago]

Definitely not Webster's nor Collins Int'l.

Something like the world according to Garp?

Definitions according to Norrin? But still have to say, locally, his definition holds true.

Seriously though, I don't find "artiste" used in the Singapore context wrong; just weird and certainly unconventional. A bit pretentious? yes. It irks me a bit but I'm just glad I only see it in print. I don't watch TV nor listen to broadcast radio. Artistes (general sense) don't necessarily have questionable artistic ability but if you have to use a variant of a word practically only you use, maybe you're not so sure of your ability. People get it; you don't have to prove it all the time. Although, from what I gather, local 'artistes' may have questionable ability in the first place.

[BigSis]

My favourites are the staff at Subway who they call 'Sandwich Artists' .........sadly not using the 'e' for added 'umph'

Maybe we should petition them to include it

[JR8]

A variation on this Frenchism employed to add sophistication is the condos that have named themselves such as D'Chateau, D'Banyan, D'Gallery. Ooh how sophisticated!

Except you cannot truncate De onto a consonant in this way (only vowels) so it just looks completely absurd. I've pondered whether I could live in a place with such a silly name and I really don't think I could do it

[BigSis]

A variation on this Frenchism employed to add sophistication is the condos that have named themselves such as D'Chateau, D'Banyan, D'Gallery. Ooh how sophisticated!

Except you cannot truncate De onto a consonant in this way (only vowels) so it just looks completely absurd. I've pondered whether I could live in a place with such a silly name and I really don't think I could do it

LOL I've often thought this about a place near me called D'Marine - it sounds ridiculous.

Silly condo and building names deserve a thread all of their own I think. Perhaps we should do a top 100 of daft names; Poshgrove East would be one to start with

[JR8]

D'Marine sounds like a skin ointment

[poodlek]

Definitely not Webster's nor Collins Int'l.

Something like the world according to Garp?

Definitions according to Norrin? But still have to say, locally, his definition holds true.

Seriously though, I don't find "artiste" used in the Singapore context wrong; just weird and certainly unconventional. A bit pretentious? yes. It irks me a bit but I'm just glad I only see it in print. I don't watch TV nor listen to broadcast radio. Artistes (general sense) don't necessarily have questionable artistic ability but if you have to use a variant of a word practically only you use, maybe you're not so sure of your ability. People get it; you don't have to prove it all the time. Although, from what I gather, local 'artistes' may have questionable ability in the first place.

+1

I know several of these "artistes" and they usually feel degraded by the term, like it's making a mockery of their status.

[movingtospore]

Methinks the irony is lost on them.

[NorrinRadd]

Yeah we're saying the same things.

Guess I hit the wall today when scanning Today or MyPaper or one of those bird cage liners with another self-delusional "TV personality / singer / spokesmodel / world peace activist / artiste" modeling for female pattern hair loss.

Kinda like that Boomz lunachick who actually thought she had pole dancing, or any really, talent. I'm sure she's an artiste in her own mind.

Maybe I just saw that word one too many times.

My source? I wonder what Talking Cock has for "artiste".....

Definitely not Webster's nor Collins Int'l.

Something like the world according to Garp?

Definitions according to Norrin? But still have to say, locally, his definition holds true.

Seriously though, I don't find "artiste" used in the Singapore context wrong; just weird and certainly unconventional. A bit pretentious? yes. It irks me a bit but I'm just glad I only see it in print. I don't watch TV nor listen to broadcast radio. Artistes (general sense) don't necessarily have questionable artistic ability but if you have to use a variant of a word practically only you use, maybe you're not so sure of your ability. People get it; you don't have to prove it all the time. Although, from what I gather, local 'artistes' may have questionable ability in the first place.

[QueensG]

they usually feel degraded by the term, like it's making a mockery of their status.

I think the definition of the term is a result of the artistes being famous for little or no reason other than their celebrity status. They keep appearing in every TV show and commercial, it's like being a celebrity is their main career and their artistic talent (if any) is a distant second.

I'm sure many of them are really nice, talented people, but it's quite disturbing to see how an already shallow entertainment industry is doing its best to become even cheaper.

[nakatago]

they usually feel degraded by the term, like it's making a mockery of their status.

I think the definition of the term is a result of the artistes being famous for little or no reason other than their celebrity status. They keep appearing in every TV show and commercial, it's like being a celebrity is their main career and their artistic talent (if any) is a distant second.

I'm sure many of them are really nice, talented people, but it's quite disturbing to see how an already shallow entertainment industry is doing its best to become even cheaper.

My theory which I never bothered checking is:

* Singapore is so small and the pool of talent (heh) even smaller
* Those with real talent go for the 'big leagues' and work in international networks
* Those that have ambition but don't make the cut settle for the local scene

For crying out loud, they made SMS an actor! As a token white, though, but an actor nonetheless!

[Addadude]

From talking to a few of these 'artistes' over the years, I gather that term was imposed upon them SBC/TCS/Mediacorp. The idea being to promote them not just as actors but as hosts, singers, puppeteers etc. (Despite the fact that few if any of 'em can actually sing to save their life...) So the catch-all phrase became 'artiste'.

And JR8, if you think staying in a D'Amber, D'Marine etc sounds like a bad idea, imagine having The Morning Glory as your home address!

http://condo.singaporeexpats.com/condo- ... -GLORY.htm