Commonly found variants; note these may range from acceptable alternatives to
non-standard forms or incorrect spellings*.
* Singlish is a largely spoken creole, and as such descriptivism (recording forms that reflect actual pronunciation in spoken language, or as appearing in the linguistic corpus) is more pertinent than strict prescriptivism. Nevertheless, the use of more standard forms (or for words originating in languages with Latin script, such as Malay, accurate to the original spelling) is recommended and encouraged.
* Singlish is a largely spoken creole, and as such descriptivism (recording forms that reflect actual pronunciation in spoken language, or as appearing in the linguistic corpus) is more pertinent than strict prescriptivism. Nevertheless, the use of more standard forms (or for words originating in languages with Latin script, such as Malay, accurate to the original spelling) is recommended and encouraged.
also can:
what you talking
what talking you
→
English:
what
+
talking
+
you
Detailed etymology
definitions
expression
- expression of confusion, doubt, incredulity, disagreement, etc., especially in response to someone saying something confusing, nonsensical, irrelevant, ridiculous, or untrue
" ... You're going to participate?"
"We're already participating! What talking you? ..."
— 2012, Foo Yin Tung. This Is Business. Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited. ISBN: 9789814398756. p.234
synonyms:
usage notes
An excellent example of Singlish topic-prominence, where this construction with an unorthodox O-V-S order is still perfectly grammatical, comprehensible, and unambiguous without the need for a copula, inflection, or conjugation.