You know Singaporeans can’t spell when…
Somebody tell me why I keep bumping into such things.
This is a signboard located at one of the most prominent and largest shopping malls in the (extreme) West. (Hint: a certain tertiary institution is located near it)
Well if they meant this as a publicity tool to grab attention, I’m pretty sure it’s working really well!
Do we really have such bad command of English?
How do you feel when you see signboards/notices/advertisements that are littered with bad English?
Embarrassed? Amused?
Let us know your thoughts!
Technorati Tags: Singapore bad english, just for laughs
Popularity: 22%
October 15th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
I’m generally quite amused by such things I think. But that’s mostly because I know I won’t make such mistakes.
October 16th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
This post reeks of elitism. What is the relationship between a misspelled poster, Jurong Point and NTU? Nothing.
It’s just a copy error that’s all. Why are you kicking a big fuss? Because you are an elite studying in some supposedly elite institution?
October 16th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
Hi ‘elitism sucks’,
I would have to disagree with you. I do not think the author is trying to frame the article in an ‘elitist’ (if you choose to call it that way) angle here. Neither is he drawing any suggestive or conclusive relationship amongst the poster, JP and NTU. The mention of the school is merely for locative purposes so that readers, who may be curious enough to want to know more or see for themselves, can locate it! (and I’d venture to say that by providing hints on the location gives the article more concreteness. When I read that, I’d gone ooh so this is indeed happening in Singapore and not some photoshop effects).
Afterall, I guess the more important issue is spark a discussion on our command of English language here. And this becomes even pertinent for an advertisement because it may affect the way one perceives a brand.
A recent Singapore movie had a polished script and was conducted in standard english. But I digress. So I think there’s still a lot of optimism for the standard of English here. We are moving in some directions, but it’ll take time. (:
That said, i guess everyone has different ways of perceiving and interpretating materials because our worldviews are so different. These are merely my musings and hope I could provide any alternative view
October 18th, 2009 at 2:19 am
Hi ‘elitism sucks’,
JY got my point completely right! I was really only trying to give clues about where the shopping mall might be.
And for the record, nope, I’m not from some supposedly elite institution. I was from THAT same certain tertiary institution located near the shopping mall.
You sound like you’re from NTU btw, are you?
Hi JY,
can’t agree more on how important it is for an advertisement to be free from grammatical and spelling errors. Imagine the amount of bad rep you’re gaining from the ad because of one careless error. It’s like slapping yourself in the face even though you spent money on an ad.
What was the recent Singapore movie you mentioned? I’m curious! And yes, musings and alternative views are more than welcome.
Keep them coming!
October 20th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Omg this I HAVE to see. It’s so ridiculous. LOL. Hehe, I might just purposely make a trip down to Jurong Point one day and take a look at this sign. …Then again, whatever the sign is advertising for, should already have been opened in Septmeber (heh, couldn’t resist) right. So the sign won’t be there anymore?
October 20th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Hi Grace!
I took this photo on 14th Oct!
The place was still under renovations and couldn’t open in ‘Septmeber’. I think it’s at level 2 if I’m not wrong!
Happy looking!
October 20th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
uh oh, considering a banner of such sheer size in a popular shopping mall and which is actually ‘tolerant’ (awareness or blissful ignorance) of a generic term (not even bombastic spellings)- the conclusion that i can make out of it will be less than impressive. meticulousness in the service line? *second thoughts and run away*
oh I was referring to Glen Goei’s The Blue Mansion. My take away from the film: Who says Singapore can only ‘brand’ itself on the so-much-harped-upon Singlish? We can use standard english too (: as for branding, this film offers some hope especially when it travels beyond (:
October 21st, 2009 at 11:38 am
Hi LY,
oooh! You’ve watched The Blue Mansion already! I read from papers the mansion they used is pretty haunted! But, anyway, out of point. Eh? I thought the movie hasn’t opened in the theatres yet?
October 28th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
There is no standard english. Even folks in England don’t have a standard english (i studied and lived there for most of my life) . The dialogue and delivery of ‘ENGLAND’ Blue Mansion, induced in me cringe-ful Masters of Sea ‘flashbacks’. Surely brudders and sisters we do not want to relive that!