新加坡国庆日将至,我走访了Everton Park的Nylon Coffee和Tyrwhitt Road上极具艺术装饰风格的Chye Seng Huat Hardware咖啡馆,向路人提出了一个简单的问题:什么最能代表你新加坡人的身份? 答案出乎意料地一致:食物和Singlish(新加坡式英语)。
食物,一种国民痴迷
鸡肉饭,这道菜几乎成了新加坡的代名词。它经久不衰的受欢迎程度,足以证明其在新加坡人心中的地位。 不止鸡肉饭,肉骨茶也频频被提及,更有趣的是,关于其辣度,人们总能展开热烈的讨论。 而新加坡式萝卜糕,更是与香港或马来西亚的版本截然不同,其独特的黑白搭配,也成为了新加坡饮食文化的一张名片。 受访者们对食物的热爱,不仅仅是对美食的追求,更是对多元文化交融的体验。 从不同文化背景的菜肴中,可以窥见新加坡社会的多元性和包容性。 午餐吃什么?这看似简单的问题,背后却蕴藏着新加坡人对美食的无限热情。
Singlish:一种独特的语言表达
Singlish,这种独特的英语方言,是另一个令新加坡人引以为傲的文化符号。 它不仅是一种沟通方式,更是一种文化认同的体现。 在日常生活中,尤其是在朋友和家人之间,Singlish被广泛使用,它自然、舒适,更重要的是,它是一种只有新加坡人才懂的“暗号”。 在机场听到熟悉的Singlish口音,那种兴奋和亲切感油然而生。 Singlish并非简单的英语简化版,它融合了多种语言元素,并带有独特的语调和表达方式,这反映了新加坡人独特的幽默感和创造力。 它不仅仅是一种语言,更是一种文化密码,一种身份认同的象征。
结语
通过与新加坡人的简短交流,我深刻体会到,食物和Singlish是构成新加坡独特文化身份的两大基石。 它们不仅代表着新加坡人的生活方式,更体现了这个国家多元文化融合的魅力。 这两种元素,共同构筑了新加坡独特的文化图景,也让我对这个充满活力和魅力的国家有了更深入的了解。
I'm out and about, asking people that I meet questions related to Singapore. When I've asked, what's the most Singaporean thing about you? The most popular answers so far have been a love for food and a unique take on language. The way I talk, I think. Yeah.
Yeah, I think so. We're talking about Singlish? Yes, of course. Yeah. In an office environment, is it awkward speaking Singlish? I don't think so because people around me are Singaporeans also, mostly. So I'm very comfortable speaking it. And your second most Singaporean thing? The food that I eat. All types of cuisines from different cultures and whatnot. It just depends on what I feel like on that day. And what do you think you're going to have for lunch today? Chicken rice.
Food is a national obsession. I could do a whole podcast just on people talking about their favourite dishes. I have an unhealthy obsession with chicken rice. That's as Singaporean as it gets. Chicken rice has been the most popular dish in Singapore since forever. So I asked if there was a second favourite dish. Yes, I would say bak kut teh.
Of course, the debate would be is it more peppery or less peppery? Oh, and carrot cake. Did you know that the Singaporean carrot cake style is unique to Singapore? In the Hong Kong style or the Malaysian style, it's all bigger, much larger, bigger chunks. And typically, I think only black. But what we have here is the, of course, we have the white and then we have the black one as well. So I always order black and white.
So, which is the more Singaporean thing? Is it food or Singlish? Well, I think it's the language, the Singlish that I use all the time to communicate with my friends and family. I'm actually very proud of it. It's something that only Singaporeans understand. Whenever I hear Singaporeans talking in the airport with the Singlish accent, I'll tell my wife, Majulah Singapura! And quickly walk away because there are Singaporeans around. Yeah.
I've been talking to everyday folks and asking, what's the most Singaporean thing about you? In this episode, I was at Nylon Coffee in Everton Park and Chai Seng Huat Hardware Coffee Bar in Tyrwhitt Road. Check out this episode's show notes for more information or visit our website, hearhere.show. To all Singaporeans, happy National Day.