NORMS OF USAGE IN EDUCATED SINGAPORE ENGLISH : TENSE, ASPECT AND MODALITY

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to describe some norms of usage pertaining to modality, tense and aspect in educated Singapore English ( ESE ) . We want to identify some prevalent norms that will define and characterise ESE. We also hope to discover some features that differ systematically from the old varieties ( notably SBrE) but are peculiar to ESE. Our study centres on syntax and we will basically be looking at several new aspects regarding deontic modality and a few pertaining to tense and aspect; all of which have not been explored in earlier research. The methodology adopted is to administer a questionnaire to acrolectal postgraduates and undergraduates studying at the National University of Singapore. The questionnaire focusses on the production aspect. Findings were tabulated to show the distribution of usage from which conclusions could then be drawn. From the findings of the questionnaire, several generalisations concerning ESE usage can be observed: (1) Epistemically, MIGHT and COULD have been used extensively to convey added tentativeness. WOULD is also used regularly as the tentative form of WILL. When expressing willingness / insistence / intention, the same regularity is observed with WOULD. (2) The past tense modal WOULD is used quite frequently to be interchangeable with its present counterpart WILL. This regularity is observed when WOULD is used epistemically for future prediction and also, in the deontic use of WOULD to express willingness/ insistence/ intention. (3) A habitual or stative verb taking the progressive indicates permanence. To convey temporariness, a time adverbial needs to be linguistically pegged to the stative or habitual verb in the progressive. (4) The simple past consistently refers to a definite point in past time, the past perfect typically expresses past-in-the-past and the present perfect usually expresses current relevance or an on-going time frame.