The Language of Sales: Act One, Scene One

1
Designer Décor! Near Orchard Yah what.peaceful and green
Exciting nightlife Welcome! To Heaven Life will be perfect
No quarrel that cannot be solved by A1 designer decor Offer them paradise on earth Spacious layout
2
Singlish vs. Standard English

• AIMS
• To explore Jean Tays use of Singlish in creating
  the characters of Boon Mother
• To compare with how she presents Jeremiah and the
  Director

3
Talking points

• How would you characterise the language you use
  when you speak to
• Your friends?
• Your family?
• Teachers?

4
What If?

1. Jean Tay had decided to write her entire play in
   standard English?
2. Jean Tay had decided to write her entire play in
   Mandarin/Hokkien?

5
Singlish vs Standard English

• Read both versions of the opening part of the
  scene
• What differences do you notice in
• Authenticity?
• Characterisation?
• Relationship between characters?
• Your personal response to the scene?

6
Boon Mother

• In your journal, discuss and record impressions
  of
• Qualities and characteristics of Boon Mother
• The relationship between them
• How the use of Singlish aids their development

7
Jeremiah the Director

• What impression is formed of their characters?
• What social background do you imagine they have?
• How does their use of Standard English shape them
  as characters?

8
Why did Tay decide to use both Singlish and
Standard English?