III.

LANGUAGE PROFILE/STATUS

Singapore Native Languages

Singapore, with its cosmopolitan character and multicultural population, is a

linguistic melting pot. While Malay, Mandarin Chinese, Tamil, and English serve
as the official languages of Singapore, numerous Singapore native languages
and dialects coexist alongside these. These native languages reflect the diverse
backgrounds of Singaporeans and contribute to the nation's unique cultural
heritage.

Singapore's language profile is diverse and multilingual, which contributes to the

linguistic variety that defines its language profile. There are four official
languages in the nation, while several other tongues and dialects are used by the
various ethnic groups. Here is an overview of Singapore's language profile:

Singapore is a country in Asia that is home to 5,897,000 people. It is also home

to 2 living indigenous languages. In addition, 22 living non-indigenous languages
are established within the country. Some of these—English, Mandarin Chinese,
Standard Malay, and Tamil—are the official languages of the country.

English: English is the commonly the primary language by Singaporeans. It is

widely spoken and understood by the majority of the population. According to E.
L. Low and A. Pakir (2018) the Singapore's language policies have led to
variations in the English language. The researchers have identified two main
forms which are 'Standard Singapore English' and a variation known as
'Colloquial Singapore English (CSE)' or 'Singapore Colloquial English (SCE).' or
'Singlish,' which results from English mixing with local languages.

English plays a pivotal role in Singaporean society as the language of education

and administration. It is the medium of instruction in schools and the primary
language used by the government. Singapore's proficiency in English is
renowned globally and has contributed significantly to its economic success.
English serves as the bridge that connects the various linguistic communities in
Singapore.

Mandarin Chinese: In the Chinese community, Mandarin is one of the official

languages and is widely spoken. Because of Singapore's business connections
with China, it is taught.

Mandarin Chinese is the most widely spoken language in Singapore, primarily

due to the large Chinese ethnic population. The linguistic landscape of Singapore
is heavily influenced by the various Chinese dialects brought over by immigrants.
However, the government actively promotes Standard Mandarin, known as
Huáyǔ, as the lingua franca for business, education, and administration. This
effort reflects the importance of maintaining a common language among the
diverse Chinese-speaking communities in Singapore.

Malay: Singapore's other official language is Malay, which is also its native
tongue. It is taught in schools and is the language of the Malay community.

Malay is Singapore's national language and holds a position of prominence. Its

significance stems from Singapore's historical ties to the Malay Archipelago, as
the island was once part of Malaysia. Malay serves as a unifying language and is
used in various official capacities, such as road signs, official documents, and the
national anthem, "Majulah Singapura" ("Onward Singapore"). While it is the
national language, it is not the most widely spoken as a mother tongue.

Tamil: Another official language of Singapore, Tamil is mostly utilized by the

Indian community in Singapore, especially by those who speak Tamil at their
residences.
-Tamil is an official language in the parts of India where it is spoken. It belongs to
the Dravidian language family. Direct evidence is lacking, but the language is
thought to be used as a first language by all in the ethnic community. It is used as a ae
of instruction in educ
Tamil, one of the four official languages, is primarily spoken by the Indian, Tamil
community in Singapore. Its presence in Singapore has deep historical roots,
with South Indian immigrants bringing the language and culture to the region.
Tamil serves as a vital link to the Indian heritage of the nation and plays a
significant role in Singapore's vibrant arts and cultural scene.

Low, E. L., & Pakir, A. (2018). English in Singapore: striking a new balance for
future-readiness. Asian Englishes, 20(1), 41–53.
https://sci-hub.se/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/
10.1080/13488678.2018.1423455