KNOWING WHEN TO SWITCH
Even as more residents identify with Singlish, they draw a firm line at using it in formal or professional contexts, the survey found.
Of the 4,000 residents surveyed over five months in 2024, 71.1 per cent said it was often or always appropriate to use Singlish with friends. That figure dropped significantly in professional settings: 49.5 per cent found it acceptable with colleagues, and just 24.4 per cent with their supervisors.
Written communication showed even less tolerance, with 59.5 per cent saying it was never or rarely appropriate to email colleagues in Singlish. Similar figures applied to formal public settings: 57.6 per cent said the same for teachers using it in class, and 60.1 per cent for government officials or Members of Parliament delivering speeches.
Researchers said the findings point to a “mature public instinct” for code-switching.
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