Tag Archives: language

Gamification Makes Duolingo the most enticing way to learn a language

I was trying not to waste my time on repetitive games that are addictive, but teach me nothing much, like Temple Run for instance. I am also not fond of scrabble type word games where all kinds of weird words, … Continue reading

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Salman Rushdie’s Writing Routine & Mastery of the English Language

I’ve always been fascinated by the routines of people I admire. Especially what makes a writer tick. And since I’ve always been fascinated by the author Salman Rushdie I googled to find these gems. The great thing about the writing … Continue reading

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Incredibly Frustrating

Incredibly frustrated when service staff at the frontline can’t speak even one word of English (supposed to be the working language in Singapore?). But seriously I don’t mind if I see that they put in effort and perhaps we could … Continue reading

Posted in Culture & Society | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Liebster Award from Carmen & Natasha

It sure is flattering to receive the Liebster award from Singapore fashion bloggers Carmen & Natasha. Thank you ladies. I love that the idea of this award is to pass it on to 11 more bloggers. The last time I … Continue reading

Posted in Blogging & Writing, Featured, Midlife Musings | Tagged , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Cool Buildings and Thoughts about Spelling Reform & Language Acquisition

Just like the Gateway Building near Kampong Glam, this is another cool triangular shaped building that looks flattish from an angle. It’s the Airview building, sandwiched between Maxwell House and Red Dot Traffic. Look out for Kadayanallur Street. It’s pronounced … Continue reading

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Language Insensitivity Depresses Me: Glad that Minister Lim Boon Heng Brought this Up in 2005

I have often felt saddened when I want to apply for a job that seems so perfect. I have met the criteria in every way. They even asked for a good command of written and spoken English. And then I … Continue reading

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Singlish Movie: I Not Stupid 2

Sometimes Singlish combined with ‘broken English’ is just more effective. I think this scene is from the hit movie “I Not Stupid 2” would not have been as funny or endearing, without it. The main character is your typical tiger … Continue reading

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Expat Blogger Maria’s Singlish Moment

I was so happy that writer, Maria of I was an Expat Wife, included me in her fabulous post about Singlish, which will perhaps interest both Singapore expats and locals with her amusing and affectionate take on the language. You … Continue reading

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The Real Singapore

When I browse the Travel Section at the bookstore, sometimes out of sheer curiosity, I flip through a guidebook on Singapore. Somehow, they always seem a bit odd to me.  Strange in a way I can’t quite put my finger … Continue reading

Posted in Singlish | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Mind Your Language: We Don’t Call Them Juice Boxes or Sodas

I always find it interesting to discover the differences between Singapore Standard English and American Standard English. It’s cool to discover and I’d thought I’d share these so that if you’re in Singapore for a visit, you won’t feel so … Continue reading

Posted in Singapore Living | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

I Don’t Want to Disappoint my Six Year Old Self

My bursting with confidence, six year old self, if she had the chance to meet the 40 year old me that’s plagued with self doubt would say, “You’re a writer. You love words and illustrations, remember?”. I finally need to … Continue reading

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Singapore Slang: Do People say Cool Anymore?

In my last post I mentioned that my friends and I used to refer to Orchard Road as Town. A young blogger, Pleasure Monger, commented that she did too. It made me wonder if people in Singapore use these words, … Continue reading

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Do you Hate being called Foreigner or Expat?

The word ‘Foreigner’ reminds of the the band of the same name and since I’ve never lived in a country apart from this Tiny Island I didn’t realize how bad the word made people feel. Please tell me how you … Continue reading

Posted in Singapore Living | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Hokkien and Singlish Expressions I Actually Use

By request of Kierstens of Suddenly in Asia, I am doing this post about Singlish words. This post is dedicated to you, Kierstens. Hope you like it. Singlish is a very easy going form of communication and highly economical. You … Continue reading

Posted in Singapore Living | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 29 Comments

Nex Serangoon Mall: Carpark Jam and Charges

The jam has actually eased slightly, but it does help to have the Nex security guards as well as the auxillary police, direct traffic. Otherwise the various delivery trucks would just block the way, like I saw one of them … Continue reading

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Uniquely Singapore

This just sounds odd to me. It’s a place where your car will be washed by a group of people rather than a mechanical device which you drive though. A usual sight in Singapore. People crowding around to watch a … Continue reading

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English – Sometimes You Are So Special (via Sunshine & Starlight )

I just love this post by Sunshine and Starlight and had to reblog. It reminds me why I adore the English Language. Here are 4 of my favourites from her marvellous list of extracted sentences from high school essays. If … Continue reading

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