Role of Singlish in the work of foreign healthcare professionals

Abstract

Healthcare is a key concern for countries with an ageing population, and Singapore is no exception. The projected spike in demand for healthcare services and manpower in Singapore has thus prompted the Singapore government to hire more foreign healthcare professionals to complement the resident healthcare workforce. This paper explores the attitudes and behaviours that foreign healthcare professionals have towards Singapore Colloquial English or ‘Singlish’ in their work, in relation to the significance of Singlish in cultural adaptation. Interviews with twelve non-Singaporean healthcare professionals show that Singlish is used to accomplish three main functions: to enhance understanding, build rapport and facilitate convergence. These communicative roles of Singlish make it a useful tool in helping foreign healthcare professionals integrate into their workplace more smoothly, while fostering a sense of connection between foreign healthcare professionals and Singaporeans. However, the study also reveals that while there is a practical use for Singlish in intercultural communication, it is still perceived as a less prestigious code compared to Singapore Standard English. In addition, local languages such as Malay and Mandarin are viewed as more beneficial to communication within the healthcare sector in Singapore.