FARALIZA TAN, 22

Last year's pageant winner took Mandarin as a second language at A levels at Tampines Junior College and thanks to the Malay heritage on her mother's side, she speaks conversational Malay, too.

Her fluency in English and poise in public speaking earned the graduate of Nanyang Technological University kudos last year.



She declined to comment on the brouhaha surrounding her successor, Ms Ris Low, though in previous interviews, she has called for the public to support Ms Low's efforts to improve.

She says that it is natural for Singaporeans to switch pronunciation styles to suit the social group, but it is important to be aware of how one adapts one's speech.



If one is taking shortcuts in pronunciation, be aware of it, she adds.

'When I am with my Malay relatives, I sound more Malay,' she says. Pronounce all the words clearly when you are relaxing with friends and they cannot be blamed for thinking that you are pretentious, she notes.

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