World of Englishes
Access the internet and use a search engine to look up the variety of English that interests you, for example US English, Australian English, Scottish English, Indian English, Irish English, etc.
| Australian English Australian English stores a number of collocation words and expressions especially shortening words and ending –o or –ie, e.g. a smoko (smoking break); beaut (beautiful).
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ASEAN is a geo-political and economic organization located in South East Asia and is the home to about 500 million people in a total area of 4.5 million square kilometers. US English and American English are not the only two special varieties of English found but also Englishes spoken by the speakers of different first languages. Each colonial region has developed its own special characteristics, which is mainly a matter of vocabulary or pronunciation. Speaking English as a second language has resulted in varieties of English you may encounter in international trade, for example; Singapore English, Malaysian English, and Bruneian English. Variations in the characteristics of English appear to be a convergence in use across ASEAN countries.
1) Singlish
Singlish is the term used to refer to the English which originated in Singapore. Singapore English indigenized through the English medium in education and influenced by Hokkin and Malay dialects. The suffixes “lah” and “meh” are often found during conversations with Singaporeans. These suffixes make Singlish unique. “Lah” and “meh” are used to affirm, assert or exaggerate something, for example, “Price too low lah”. “Ah” is used when you agree or conform to the individual you are talking to, for example “This girl ah, very pretty.”
2) Manglish
English initially spread to Malaysia through the British education system. Malaysian English and Singlish have much in common, with the main exception that English in Malaysia is more subject to influence from Malay. Non-standard Malay English, in particular the ending ‘lah’, is added at the end of the sentence as a particle especially of informal intimacy, for example “Sorry, can't come lah.”
3) Bruneian English
Bruneian English uses a mix of Malay and English. Some words are used in innovative words for sporting personnel, for example, ‘cueists’ for those who play pool; ‘cagers’ for basketball players.
4) American and British English
American English differs considerably from British English. Speakers of American and British English have a number of differences in vocabulary and spelling as well as in grammar.
The following terms are some common American English words with their British equivalents.
| American English | British English |
corporation |
company |