A Proposed Descriptive Framework for the Pragmatic Meanings of the Particle la in Colloquial Singaporean English

Abstract

The use of the particle la has been shown to be a unique feature of Colloq Singapore Eng (CSE). It generally occurs in the final position of a phrase, clause, or declarative or imperative sentence. Previous analyses of la are reviewed, & a study is reported in which la utterances drawn from natural conversations were analyzed. Three recorded child-adult & one child-child interaction were examined. An effort was made to substantiate the hypothesis that there are two distinct variants of la that contrast in terms of duration & stress. The relationship between various forms of la & their pragmatic meanings were also examined. Findings indicate that there are three variants of la that contrast in pitch height. The particle performs various communicative functions relating to the marking of subtle emotive attitudes. B. Annesser Murray.