Language Research

3. Language issues: Where does one observe language to be a problem in the country?

No problems were found.

One of Singapore's greatest strengths is its self-proclaimed “unity through diversity” which is also represented by the co-existence of four official languages.

The Constitution states that all persons are equal before the law and entitled to the equal protection of the law, and the Government carries out these provisions in practice. Mindful of the country's history of inter-communal tension, the Government takes affirmative measures to ensure racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural nondiscrimination. Social, economic, and cultural benefits and facilities are available to all citizens regardless of race, religion, or sex.

Of Interest is the issue of Singaporean Identity. Singapore's leaders explicitly rejected the ideology of the “melting pot”, offering rather the vision of a confidently multiethnic society. One whose component ethnic groups shared participation in such common institutions as electoral politics, public education, military service, public housing, and ceremonies of citizenship. At the same time they were to retain distinct languages, religions, and customs. Singaporeans were defined as composed of three fundamental types: Chinese, Malays, and Indians. These ethnic categories, locally referred to as “races”, were assumed to represent self-evident, “natural” groups that would continue to exist into the indefinite future. Singaporean identity thus implied being Chinese, Malay, or Indian, but self-consciously so in relation to the other two groups. The Singaporean model of ethnicity thus required both the denial of significant difference between each ethnic group while still highlighting the contrasts between the cultures.