ANALYSIS OF 'THE PARENT TRAP' EPISODE - THEMATIC APPROACH

In this episode, there is quite a few specific cultural references that are either accurate/inaccurate representation of Singapore's culture. Some of these are some that only a Singaporean would understand -Singaporeanism. Let us take you through and have a look! :)

Singlish: 3:15-3:30mins (Accurate to some extent)

Phua Chu Beng (PCB): "Margaret is forcing me to speak properly just to impress... It is times like this that i want to yell out lah meh loh! ... are very fundamental part of our lives... because it is fun and mentally good"

- This shows us how Singlish is such a huge part of our lives but yet we understand the importance of English in a serious context such as a business meeting or to have a good first impression on someone.

- Furthermore, Singlish is only understandable by Singaporeans, showing us how our culture is only unique to us in this sense :)

Food: Hougang Beef Noodles: 13:20-13:25mins (Accurate)

Margaret: "Most unique most special most singaporean dish and i found it! Beef noodles penang style!"

- Only singaporeans will know of the Hougang beef noodles

- The idea of space, where only singaporeans know where the place is and the sense of place to it :)

- Singapore as a food paradise: very accurate as we are known for our wide variety of yummy food!

Multi-racial (Not accurate to some extent)

- Exclusion of other races (cast) in sitcom except Lynette's mother

- The rest are all Chinese family

- This is definitely not the case as Singapore is a multi-racial, multi-cultural society with many different races living in the same area :)

Some inaccurate representation of our culture

Exaggerated

- It is naturally exaggerated in this as it is a sitcom, however, due to the exaggeration, it may distort our true practices

- Such as spitting (22:22-22:40mins) anywhere we like (Singaporeans do not do that, especially when we are known as being a very clean and green city)

Generalization

- It will be problematic if we generalize Singaporean families into just this type, as it is just a over-simplified version.

Mockery

- It may also seems to be a mockery to our culture where we are unable to speak proper English (2:20-3.12mins) and have to take great efforts to be able to achieve that.

- 14:48-14:55mins where PCB is trying hard to spit and act like a "true Singaporean" which is not a true representation of the normal Singaporean.

Outdated

- Singapore is globalising along with the rest of the world and is getting more westernized. Times have changed and the actions that are portrayed in the sitcom may not be applicable or true representation of our country anymore.

In conclusion, the themes of the PCK sitcom episodes can be accurate in representing some parts of our culture, but yet some of it are already outdated as this sitcom was filmed many years ago.