Malay
Malay is Singapore’s national language and our national anthem, Majulah Singapura, is written and sung in Malay.
The language is historically significant to Singapore as the lingua franca of the region. Many of the older generation are able to communicate in the language, whether they are Malay, Chinese or Indian, and you’ll often hear it in Singaporeans’ everyday speech – such as when we talk about our national pastime: makan (eat)! The Peranakan Chinese also speak a patois based on it.
Why not give it a go? Sign up for a class at your neighbourhood
community club.
Mandarin
Mandarin is widely spoken in for the Chinese community in Singapore. A fun way to learn the language is to sing along to pop songs, particularly those from the homegrown genre of
xinyao. Hanyu pinyin, the Romanized transliteration, will be your best help!
As the forefathers of the Chinese community in Singapore came from many different parts of China and spoke their own languages, you will also frequently hear other Chinese dialects like Hokkien, Teochew, Cantonese and Hainanese being used. Many colourful words and phrases have become part of the local vernacular. Those keen to learn Mandarin, or heritage buffs interested in
picking up a dialect or two, can do so from
clan associations or
community clubs.
Tamil
Tamil is taught in schools as a Mother Tongue for the Indian community. Every Singapore student, regardless of race, has sung along and danced to the catchy ditty Munnaeru Vaalibaa (Come Forward, Youths)!
Non-Tamil Indian students may choose to take up other Indian languages such as Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi or Urdu. If you can’t resist a Bollywood movie, go ahead and learn some Hindi at
The Hindi Society.
English
English is the language of administration, and the medium of instruction in schools. It is also used in our public spaces, and in the conduct of business. Make an effort to speak it, and you’ll find communication across different cultural groups a breeze.