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what you talking

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.

also can:

what you talking

what talking you

English:

what

+

talking

+

you

expand for details Detailed etymology

definitions

expression

  1. expression of confusion, doubt, incredulity, disagreement, etc., especially in response to someone saying something confusing, nonsensical, irrelevant, ridiculous, or untrue
  2. " ... 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


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.


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