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Abstract
This research aims to investigate the emblematic discourse markers lah in Colloquial Singaporean English (CSgE). The questions addressed are why the lah particle is commonly used as a discourse marker in CSgE and to what extent it contributes to the analysis and description of discourse markers in English language. This descriptive qualitative study explores empirically and theoretically the topic grounded on the secondary sources. The involvement of a related-literature review from previous researchers and experts, written in some journal articles and scientific books, has been considered. The result of the study demonstrates that the particle lah is indeed commonly used as a discourse marker by Singaporeans and identified as one of the most emblematic discourse markers in CSgE. The notion of diglossic situation seems to be one of the reasons why lah is widely used among Singaporeans. The pragmatic function of lah is noticeable as well since it is used to indicate emphasis, solidarity, familiarity and informality. Finally, the particle lah surely contributes to the analysis and description of discourse markers because it represents a naturally-occurring example of English in use. So, lah may enrich the English grammar, highlight its pragmatic function, and demonstrate the variability of English.
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References
- Aijmer, K. (2002). English discourse particles: evidence from a corpus. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.
- Astuti, S. P. (2016). Exploring motivational strategies of successful teachers. TEFLIN Journal, 27(1), 1–22. doi: https://doi.org/10.15639/teflinjournal.v27i1/1-22
- Baugh, A. C., & Cable, T. (2013). A history of the English language (6th ed.). Oxon: Routledge.
- Biber, D., Johansson, S, Leech, G., Conrad, S., & Finegan, E. (2012). Longman grammar of spoken and written English. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited.
- Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. doi: https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
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- Deterding, D. (2007). Singapore English. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
- Fischer, K. (2006). Towards an understanding of the spectrum of approaches to discourse particles: Introduction to the volume. In K. Fischer (Ed.), Approaches to discourse particles (pp. 1-20). Oxford: Elsevier.
- Inharjanto, A. (2024). Investigating social status of Singaporean English. Jurnal Humanipreneur, 2(3), 1-9.doi: https://doi.org/10.53091/hum.v2i3.45
- Kachru, Y. & Nelson, C. L. (2006). World Englishes in Asian context. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press.
- Leimgruber, J. R. E. (2013). Singapore English: structure, variation, and usage. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.
- Lewis, D. M. (2006). Discourse markers in English: A discourse-pragmatic view. In K. Fischer (Ed.), Approaches to discourse particles (pp. 43-60). Oxford: Elsevier.
- Lim, L. (2007). Mergers and acquisitions: On the ages and origins of Singapore English particles. World Englishes, 26(4), 446–473. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-971X.2007.00522.x
- Mian-Lian, H., & Platt, J. T. (1993). Dynamics of a contact continuum: Singaporean English. Oxford: Clarendon Press
- Oxford English Dictionary (2023). Oxford English dictionary online. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Available online: https://www.oed.com/?tl=true
- Platt, J., & Weber, H. (1980). English in Singapore and Malaysia. Petaling Jaya: Oxford University Press.
- Schiffrin, D. (1987). Discourse markers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Smakman, D. & Wagenaar, S. (2013). Discourse particles in Colloquial Singapore English. World Englishes, 32(3), 308–324. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/weng.12033
- Stroud, C., & Wee, L. (2012). Style, identity and literacy: English in Singapore. Bristol: Multilingual Matters.
- Wee, L. (2003). The birth of a particle: know in Colloquial Singapore English. World Englishes, 22 (1), 5–13. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1467-971X.00268
- Wee, L. (2010). The particle ya in Colloquial Singapore English. World Englishes, 29(1), 45–58. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-971X.2009.01624.x
References
Aijmer, K. (2002). English discourse particles: evidence from a corpus. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.
Astuti, S. P. (2016). Exploring motivational strategies of successful teachers. TEFLIN Journal, 27(1), 1–22. doi: https://doi.org/10.15639/teflinjournal.v27i1/1-22
Baugh, A. C., & Cable, T. (2013). A history of the English language (6th ed.). Oxon: Routledge.
Biber, D., Johansson, S, Leech, G., Conrad, S., & Finegan, E. (2012). Longman grammar of spoken and written English. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. doi: https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Cavallaro, F. & Chin, N. B. (2009). Between status and solidarity in Singapore. World Englishes, 28(2), 143–159. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-971X.2009.01580.x
Deterding, D. (2007). Singapore English. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Fischer, K. (2006). Towards an understanding of the spectrum of approaches to discourse particles: Introduction to the volume. In K. Fischer (Ed.), Approaches to discourse particles (pp. 1-20). Oxford: Elsevier.
Inharjanto, A. (2024). Investigating social status of Singaporean English. Jurnal Humanipreneur, 2(3), 1-9.doi: https://doi.org/10.53091/hum.v2i3.45
Kachru, Y. & Nelson, C. L. (2006). World Englishes in Asian context. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press.
Leimgruber, J. R. E. (2013). Singapore English: structure, variation, and usage. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.
Lewis, D. M. (2006). Discourse markers in English: A discourse-pragmatic view. In K. Fischer (Ed.), Approaches to discourse particles (pp. 43-60). Oxford: Elsevier.
Lim, L. (2007). Mergers and acquisitions: On the ages and origins of Singapore English particles. World Englishes, 26(4), 446–473. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-971X.2007.00522.x
Mian-Lian, H., & Platt, J. T. (1993). Dynamics of a contact continuum: Singaporean English. Oxford: Clarendon Press
Oxford English Dictionary (2023). Oxford English dictionary online. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Available online: https://www.oed.com/?tl=true
Platt, J., & Weber, H. (1980). English in Singapore and Malaysia. Petaling Jaya: Oxford University Press.
Schiffrin, D. (1987). Discourse markers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Smakman, D. & Wagenaar, S. (2013). Discourse particles in Colloquial Singapore English. World Englishes, 32(3), 308–324. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/weng.12033
Stroud, C., & Wee, L. (2012). Style, identity and literacy: English in Singapore. Bristol: Multilingual Matters.
Wee, L. (2003). The birth of a particle: know in Colloquial Singapore English. World Englishes, 22 (1), 5–13. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1467-971X.00268
Wee, L. (2010). The particle ya in Colloquial Singapore English. World Englishes, 29(1), 45–58. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-971X.2009.01624.x