Two tongue tied: Bilingualism in Singapore

This paper examines the problems and issues connected with the implementation of the bilingual policy in Singapore which is a multiracial, multicultural and multilingual nation. Bilingualism in Singapore describes more than just a policy, a programme, a population, or a progression. It involves a major transformation since bilingualism is important insofar as English is ‘claimed’ as the cornerstone of that operation towards bilingual achievement. In other words, bilinguals in Singapore are increasingly English‐knowing bilinguals. Some of the problems and issues connected to English‐knowing bilingualism including language maintenance and shift and the inter‐relationship between language and culture, are examined.