The compoundability of SIAN
In this study, multiple realization of SIAN was observed. (viz. Sian 1/2, Super Sian, Sibei Sian). From a native introspection of the emotion SIAN, the authors of this paper recognized that SIAN can be considered a spectrum of SIAN-ness; thus the comparative or superlative compound realization of SIAN (viz. Super Sian, Sibei Sian). Although these alternations of SIAN convey the core meaning, the compound realizations are context specific. For example, Sian ½ is only appropriate when the core sense is weariness, and boredom and emptiness as a peripheral sense; Sibei Sian can substitute SIAN in any instance but the Sibei attaches a desire of a change of circumstance which might not be the case in Sian ½ where it only describes the current state of SIAN-ness. This composite characteristic is similar to the Hawaiian word, Aloha; when compounded with other morpheme, the new phrase shares partial sense with the core meaning of Aloha. As discussed, the experiment had observed the compounding nature and the comparative/superlative modification of SIAN.
The Chameleon nature of SIAN
Interestingly, the different orthography of the single SIAN (i.e. Sien, Sian, Xian) lexeme would have leaked much etymology information to a sensitive learner of Singlish; ‘Sien’ typically follows the orthographic/phonetic system of English and ‘Xian’ originates from the HanyuPinyin system of the Mandarin language , ultimately Sian typifies the alveolar fricative [s] and the diphthong representation from HanyuPinyin ‘an’ and the consistent alveolar [n]. Ultimately, ‘Sian’ is the orthography that is accepted by the authoritative Coxford concordance. The chameleon nature of Sian orthography and the spectrum of slight difference in the senses of SIAN provide a foundation for semantic productivity.
The Polysemic Nature of SIAN
In addition, a single lexeme Aloha has a wide range of senses. Aloha means ‘love, affection, compassion, mercy, sympathy, pity, kindness, sentiment, grace, charity; greeting, salutation, regards; sweetheart, lover, loved one; beloved, loving, kind, compassionate, charitable, lovable; to love, be fond of; to show kindness, mercy, pity, charity, affection; to venerate; to remember with affection; to greet, hail. Greetings! Hello! Good-by! Farewell! Alas!’ (Hawaiian Dictionaries). Thus, this paper discusses the ‘Aloha syndrome’ of SIAN. Similar to Aloha, the experiment reflected a wide range of senses for SIAN. From the NSM explication, 9.8% of local respondents’ deductions for PEKCHEK and PAISEH are 'Sian'. From the dictionary concordance, 13.7% of local respondents’ deductions for PEKCHEK and PAISEH are 'Sian'(deductions of 'Sian' in eliciting SIAN are tallied within the expected lexemes genre). Even within the foreign respondents' deduction of the dictionary elicitation, 7.4% deducted 'Sian' when eliciting PEKCHEK or PAISEH.
Looking at the examples of the usage of PEKCHEK and PAISEH, it seems plausible for SIAN to be substituted into the sentences. For example, from Coxford’s usage of PAISEH, ‘This is the third time I’m borrowing money from you. Damn ___, man.’ In this example, SIAN can substitute PAISEH and it retains the original sense of shame from having to borrow money time and again. But SIAN extends beyond the sense of shame to a sense of emptiness/helplessness as a by-product of feeling shameful from borrowing money time and again. Thus in this example, SIAN is an emotion by-product of having done an undesirable action (in this case, shameful action). Another example from Coxford’s accounts for SIAN as a substitute for PEKCHEK, ‘Wah lau, kena arrow this kind of job, si beh ____, ma!’. In this scenario, SIAN’s ability to substitute PEKCHEK is based on a secondary sense of helpless exasperation when one cannot change an undesirable circumstance which induces frustration. Generally, in negative circumstances, SIAN provides a polysemous (Aloha-like) interjection/expression for to describe an individual’s emotion.
The Aloha syndrome (polysemous and compounding nature) of SIAN signals an obstacle to intercultural transmission of SIAN. Yet from the experiment, foreign respondents are able to pick up on these complexities and apply SIAN’s multipurpose nature onto PEKCHEK and PAISEH. No doubt the examples from the concordance entries are crucial in recognizing the Aloha syndrome of SIAN. This demonstrated discoursal context and usage of lexemes as an important aspect of intercultural transmission.
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