Speaking Singlish

Don't be so kayu! Don't be so stupid! That noodle soup was shiok! That noodle soup was fantastic! The lecture was very chim The lecture was very profound

English - the old colonial language - still predominates in business

However, Singlish has been rising in popularity and is seen by many Singaporeans as integral to their identity.

Many Singaporeans can speak good English - but often prefer Singlish to chat to each other.

If you want to suggest someone is not too bright, you might say: "Why you so blur?"

Another common phrase is "Aiyah, he always catch no ball one."

It means: "He doesn't understand what I'm saying."

One of the principal features of Singlish is the liberal scattering of the Malay term 'lah' - used as a kind of verbal exclamation mark.

For example: "OK lah!" or "Go home lah!"

Deputy premier Lee said Singaporeans should not give up their mother tongues to learn Singlish as that would make the country worse off.

Instead, he argued, people should concentrate on learning standard English.

Changing habits

The "Speak Good English Campaign" is the second such effort to change linguistic habits, and is aimed largely at the younger generation.

The campaign will include a play called "The Singlish Patient" - a comedy based on linguistic misunderstandings.

A similar campaign began in 1999 - but it is not clear how successful it was.

The authorities in Singapore are renowned for their attempts to create a carefully-ordered society.

In the past, there have been government-led initiatives designed to encourage Singaporeans to have more babies, be more courteous to each other, stop smoking, flush the toilet and, according to one newspaper headline a few years ago, to "have more spontaneous fun."