I studied English in Japan and the United States when I was a student. I think I am/was speaking what is called American English, for I thought the English used in US was the one I should learn, and most of the Japanese teachers of English classes at school taught me so. During study abroad in US, I traveled to London with a British study-abroad student. People there, asking me ‘what are you studying in the US?’, and I replied ‘I’m studying English’. Almost everybody laughed and said ‘you’re studying English in America? They don’t speak English. They speak American.’ It was astonishing to me!

When I ordered tomato (təme'itou) soup, it didn’t get across, and the waiter said ‘Oh, tomato (təma':təu) soup’. I believed either one could be understood. I felt it was a bit sarcastic joke to ‘American English’ speakers.

After graduation, I worked for a European airline and during the role-play training, I took a cabin attendant role. The passenger (in role-play) said, ‘Beer, please’. I said ‘Sure, sir’, and I was scored low in English. The trainer said that my English was too casual for passengers on board, and should use more polite words such as ”Certainly”, or “Of course”, instead of “Sure”. It is not a matter of Right or Wrong, but rather the most ‘suitable’ expression for each occasion – English T.P.O. If for personal conversation, it is truly up to the individual decision which one to use, but in business situations it is part of the job requirements…. One must be flexible.

And, Singlish. It is quite different…. even a different language, I could say. For those having learned what is called ‘British/American English’, it would be quite tough to catch up. It is often said ‘they don’t speak proper English, and I don’t want to acquire such English……’.

But, what is ‘proper’ English? Who speaks proper English, the British or Americans? Language is just one of many communication tools, and if the majority in an area speaks that language, it would definitely be required at least understand it…

‘Let’s go marketing!’ – do you understand? It is same as ‘go shopping’ but specifically meant to go to the supermarket or grocery store.

‘I want this, can?’- instead of ‘may I have this?’ In the beginning, you may even feel it rude, but you get used to it.

Also, English can be mixed with the local languages a lot. For example;

‘Let’s makan. ’- What is it? Makan is ‘eating’ in Malay. So, ‘let’s makan’ means ‘let’s go for food’. It is a standard phrase you often hear at lunch time. Regardless of whether you like it or not, that is just the way it is.

And now as everyone in the world realizes, the importance of Asian markets (especially ASEAN countries) is getting bigger….. people need to get more familiar with the ‘diversified’ English language. It would be best to get exposed to various types of English, “World Englishes”, to survive in the next generation.