6 of 42

Write now Article Tools

I saw a message on the advertising panel of a double-decker bus yesterday morning, which was part of the Speak Good English Movement in Singapore. It read "Be Understood. Speak Up. Speak Out. Speak Well". I thought to myself "Hmmvery interesting". I do not wish to discuss about the main message (Be Understood) but would like to discuss further on the other three sub-messages.

Speak up - I believe that the fact that a person perceives that he or she cannot speak a language well, English in this case, hampers his or her ability to actually speak up. However, this may not be the only contributing factor. A person who is shy or introverted by nature will find speaking up a real burden. Children in their formative years need to be taught and encouraged to speak up often. The funny thing about this though is when they speak up voluminously the adults around them put a hold on their enthusiasm and stifles their willingness to speak up in the first place. I remember how I have to really strain my ears to hear a child speak as he swallows his words and they do not come out clear enough. However, the aural defect of these aging ears may play a part too.

Speak Out - Speaking out signifies a person's ability to confidently speak, rebut and defend one's position in a speech, dialogue or conversation. The younger generation is being encouraged to speak out on various issues affecting them individually as well as those that affect the society as a whole. This effort takes time as the people in this country view it as something "sacred". They have grown up within a comfort zone all this while and do not see the significance of trying to change things around. Why reinvent the wheel? Why change a winning team? If it ain't broke, don't fix it. These are the common replies we hear when we encourage people to speak out on various issues. So, this campaign is not all about being able to speak the language well but also to voice out feelings, ideas and even grievances. In case you may be wondering, I am not directly involved in the running of the Speak Good English Movement and am definitely not a sounding board for the organizers. I was merely speaking up and speaking out what resides in my mind.

Speak Well - Amongst the three sub-messages that we are discussing, to me this is the most subjective of the lot. I strongly believe that it is a matter of judgment. Who is to say that I do not speak English well? The native English speakers you might say? They cannot even decide whether "ch" should sound as it is in the word "chair" or the "k" sound as in the word "character". Not forgetting their fickleness when it comes to plurals. Why is a "tooth" called "teeth" when there is more than one but a number of booths do not become beeth? I am sure you have come across others in many articles written about the language. So, need I say more about speaking English well? To me, it is more important to be understood whether you speak well or not. No point speaking like the Queen and have an audience mouths agape in a state of confusion.

Learn more about this author, Yara.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Speaking English: How to speak English well?
We want to hear your view. Write now!