While this short narrative may seem like an oversimplification of Singaporean history, it is designed to give you an idea of why today they have four official languages inn this city. While about 75% of the population in Singapore is of Chinese descent, the government has tried to be inclusive to the other groups by still recognizing their presence, languages, religions and cultures.
In my experience there, English seems to be the main language used to communicate in Singapore. Nonetheless, it is very common to hear many other languages being spoken, as you walk around the city. When visiting one of the city’s famous food centers, it definitely helped me to say a few things in Mandarin: the locals there really appreciated it. However, I could have just as easily gotten around by using English, only.
