Popular Languages Spoken in Singapore

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With almost half of the country’s circumference touching the ocean, Singapore is a magnificent country endowed with stunning islands that can provide a great getaway option. These islands sparkle with natural beauty and pristine beaches and are Singapore’s most significant tourist attractions. People across the globe travel to the country searching for some serene and secluded time with the ocean.

While the country has played a key role in industrial and technological development, it is also home to many ancient monuments that reflect the influences of countless religions. The reason behind it is the diversity in ethnicity amongst the residents. People have migrated here from around the world, primarily from China, India, and Malaysia.

This diversity of beliefs and harmony amongst these ethnicities is reflected by the majestic temples that have been constructed across the state. The temples, dating back to the 1800s, combine Hindu and Buddhist architectural styles.

These temples represent the diversity in the culture of Singapore. With people of various ethnicities who have lived in this country for generations, the locals speak many languages in Singapore.

List of Most Used Singapore Official Languages

1. Malay
2. Mandarin
3. Tamil
4. English
5. Singlish

1. Malay

Malay is the national language of Singapore, which is spoken by around 13% of the country’s population. Before the British colonisation of the country in 1819, Malay was the most prominent language in the country. Even their national anthem, “Majulah Singapura,” is written in Malay.

Singaporean Malay’s written texts are inspired by Roman and Arabic scriptures, as most of it is composed by Rumi. Some texts also feature Jawi scripts, but they are rare. The specific dialect of this language spoken in Singapore is known as Bahasa Melayu, similar to the dialect spoken in Indonesia.

Various variants and dialects of Malay are spoken in neighbouring islands, including Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Here are a few common words and phrases in Malay:

• Se la mat jalan (Good bye)
• Terimakasih (Thank You)
• To-long! (Help)
• Ta-hoo-kah ber-da ha sa inggris (Do you speak English)

2. Mandarin

As most of Singapore’s population is ethnically Chinese, Mandarin or Huayu is the official language for Singaporean Chinese. It follows the same structure and composition as Mandarin is spoken in Beijing, which uses more simplified characters.

Most Chinese who have migrated to Singapore come from the Southern region of China and occupy around three-quarters of the total country’s population. While bringing their culture along, these immigrants also shared their varied languages, like Hokkien, Cantonese, Teochew, and Hainanese. However, with the government’s attempts to standardise the language spoken by Chinese in the country, Mandarin became the only Chinese dialect in Singapore.

However, this is changing as various bans are lifted and used by minority groups in the country.

Here are a few popular words and phrases in Mandarin:

• Ni hao (Hello)
• Ni hui jiang Yingyu ma? (Do you speak English)
• Ni hao ma? (How are you)
• Zaijian (Goodbye)
• Xie Xie (Thank you)

3. Tamil

Around 9.2% of Singapore’s entire population is made up of Indians. And out of that 9.2%, 76% are Indians who speak Tamil. They have migrated here from Tamil Nadu and have significantly impacted the country’s culture. Because of the rising proportion of habitants speaking Tamil, the language has become one of Singapore official languages. You can also see street signs with Tamil alternatives to popular destinations.

While Tamil is the only Indian language the Singapore government has officially recognised, other Indian-origin languages are spoken in the country, including Bengali, Hindi, Punjabi, Gujarati, and Urdu.

Here are a few popular words and phrases in Tamil:

• Kaalai Vanakkam (Good morning)
• Alo (Hi)
• Poittu Varen (Good bye)
• Enakku Udhavi Seivienkala (Can you help me)
• Oru Nimidam (One moment please)
• Romba Nandri (Thank you)

4. English

English being a predominant global language, it is safe to assume that many people living in Singapore speak English. Singapore official languages also include English, the primary medium of instruction for businesses, schools, and the government of Singapore. Even the bilingual education policy of the government ensures that more and more children are fluent in English.

It is one of the most widely spoken languages in Singapore, with around 70% of Singaporeans being able to communicate in English. However, the high majority of this group consists of people below the age of 50. They follow the grammar and norms of British English and are also deemed as the 5th best non-native English speakers worldwide.

5. Singlish

Singlish is a popular informal language spoken in various regions of Singapore, giving a distinct spin to the English language. This unique take on the English language infuses it with multiple words and grammar of Malay, Tamil, and Hokkein.

This colloquial form of English has a vast vocabulary composed of jumbled local slang and expressions that can be found in the dialects and languages spoken in the country. The phonetics of the language is peculiar and immensely interesting.

Here are a few popular phrases in Singlish:

• One Chicken Rice da bao (one chicken rice to take away)
• Not good one lah (Not good)
• Where bas? (where is the bus stop)
• Kopi Oh (Black Coffee)
• Kopi Ais (Iced Coffee)
• Wah liao so expensive lah (Why is it so expensive)

Wrapping Up!

With a diverse array of cultures finding their home in the bountiful land of Singapore, the country has a varied range of languages. With Malay being the national language of Singapore, these five are the most popular languages spoken in Singapore.

Apart from these five popular languages, other languages are spoken in the country, including French, Japanese, Arabic, and German. While there isn’t a substantial group of the population speaking those languages, their numbers are rising.

From influences from British colonists to Chinese immigrants, the language of Singapore is a composition of various other languages. And with rising globalisation, they are adapting and evolving.

If you are enthralled by this enigmatically beautiful country and wish to visit, we have you covered. SOTC offers a wide range of attractive Singapore tour packages that can curate the perfect trip for you and your loved ones.

FAQs

Which is the national language of Singapore?

Malay is the national language of Singapore. The particular dialect which is most popularly spoken in the country is Bahasa Melayu.

Do other countries also speak Malay?

Neighbouring countries to Singapore, namely Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei, speak dialects of Malay.

Where did the Mandarin language originate from?

Mandarin is a more simplified version of Cantonese and originates from China. It is also one of the most spoken languages in the world, owing to the vast population of Chinese in various parts of the world.

Which Indian language is most popular in Singapore?

As more than 75% of Indians in Singapore are from Tamil Nadu, the most popular Indian language in Singapore is Tamil.

What is Singlish?

Singlish is a popular informal language spoken in various regions of Singapore, giving a distinct spin to the English language. This unique take on the English language infuses it with various words and grammar of Malay, Tamil, and Hokkein.