SINGAPORE: A study in Singapore has found that the word 'alamak' – an expression of shock or dismay – is the most popular term used in Singlish (a creole of Bahasa Melayu and English).
The study found that 66 per cent of respondents could use 'alamak' in a sentence, as reported by Singapore's Straits Times.
It also looked at other commonly used slangs in the country and found that the words "makan"(eat), and common fillers like "lah", "lor", "meh" and "leh", typically used for emphasis, had also ranked among the top three.,
These findings were from a survey of more than 1,500 Singaporeans aged between 16 and in their 50s, conducted by language-learning company, Preply, a company based in the United States (US), between January and February 2024. It aimed to highlight trends and challenges faced by the public in learning new languages as well as the perspectives of native speakers regarding the use of slang.
Other Singlish words that topped the findings of the study include 'paiseh', 'kaypoh', and 'shiok'.
"Although attitudes towards slang may vary depending on circumstances and generations, it is undeniable that it plays an important role in language and culture.
"Introducing local slang is a significant part of learning a language and adapting to local residents. It demonstrates not only linguistic competence but also cultural sensitivity," said Preply language expert Sylvia Johnson.
Meanwhile, the majority of respondents in the study were found to not understand 'Gen Z' lingo trends, such as 'slay', meaning to do something extremely well, and 'rizz', which is also an abbreviation for charisma.
Almost 65 per cent of respondents did not know how to use 'slay' in a sentence, even though it was the most understood Gen Z word according to the study.
About three out of 10 respondents could use 'sus' (an abbreviation for suspicious), which was the second most understood word.
Nearly 80 per cent of respondents did not understand the terms 'cap', which is slang for lying, and 'simp', which is a condition where someone gives excessive attention and is too submissive to someone they like.
The majority of respondents said that they use slang in casual settings such as when they are with friends and family.
Many also use slang in the workplace, although 74 per cent of respondents said it is not suitable to use slang in a professional environment.
Some people, however, disagree with the use of slang at all, with around one in 10 respondents feeling that those who use slang are simply lazy.
Attitudes towards Singlish have changed over the years from early concerns about standard English to increasingly gaining strong support in recent years.
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