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Our Singlish still got future or not? The kids will tell you

Straits Times01-06-2025

In Singapore, if you're feeling particularly pugnacious – itching to stir up some fuss at a stale dinner party, revive a fading family gathering, or jolt awake a sleepy WhatsApp group – you could always talk politics or food. Both reliably spark strong opinions, though admittedly they're a bit predictable.
Here's something better: Singlish. Or more broadly, the colourful universe of Singaporeanisms – those uniquely local phrases, expressions and linguistic ticks we pinjam from everywhere: Malay, Hokkien, Teochew, Tamil. It's guaranteed to get everyone piping up; even the quiet ones have something to say.
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