Already in Singapore English

Abstract

A discussion on the influence of Chinese syntax on Singapore English (SgE) notes that certain discourse particles, eg, a, lah, le, lo, & ma, are used in the same way in SgE. The function of these particles in SgE might sometimes be adopted by English words; a connection between the completive/perfective & inchoative aspects of the Chinese le & the completive/perfective & inchoative aspects of the English term already is posited. A review of the uses of already in SgE considers its role as an aspectual marker & as the indicator of the beginning of an action that has yet to take place. Particular attention is paid to the temporal opposition that exists in these two meanings. The Chinese word le operates in a similar fashion, depending on its position within a sentence. In comparing le & already, it is concluded that the uses of already in SgE reflect those of le in Chinese, permitting the English word to acquire an additional aspectual nature.