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LANGUAGE & CULTURE

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Having traded in its opium dens for cloud-shrouded skyscraps, Singapore might initially seem shockingly modern and anonymous. Yet, dscrape the surface and you will see that this is an undeniably Asian city with feng shui inspired shopping malls and mythological national animals.

What Is The Merlion?
Whether as a statue by the Esplanade or as a kitschy lighter sold to tourists, you are sure to come across frequent depictions of Singapore's fantastical mascot - the Merlion. Half lion, half fish, the Merlion is a reference to both the legend of Sang Nila Utama and Singapore's origins as a small fishing village.

Cultural Diversity
Today, Singapore is a cosmopolitan city; and yet, a lot of Singapore's present day culture can be traced back to its culturally diverse immigrant history. With Malay, Chinese, Indian and European influences intermingling, the results are truly unique to Singapore.

When Singapore was still under the British, various areas of the island were segmented for the different races. These areas - such as Little India, Chinatown, Geylang and Arab Street - still retain much of their unique character.

These areas are truly arresting to visit, with their pre-war architecture, cultural history and traditional industries intact.

Two National Pastimes
Singaporeans fondly refer to the double act of eating and shopping as the only things to be done in Singapore. Whilst inaccurate, the statement is representative of the things that make up a significant part of Singaporean culture.

All international cuisines are here, though Chinese, Indian and Malay foods dominate. Particularly popular dishes include Hainanese Chicken Rice, Satay and Roti Prata. What is unique about Singaporean cuisine is that, whilst the dishes might have originated in another country, they have been adapted to suit local palates with the increased use of coconut milk, spices and local ingredients (such as an increased emphasis on seafood). With this variety, it is not unsurprising that most Singaporean gatherings centre around food.

You can also just as easily find Indonesian, Japanese, Western, Italian, Peranakan, African, French, Thai and Russian cuisine here. For a true sample of the myriad of dining options available in Singapore, the Singapore Food Festival held annually in April is a good place to start.

Shopping is also a major concern with Singaporeans, and you will be able to find a shopping mall almost everywhere in Singapore. Most Singaporeans eagerly look forward to and save up for the Great Singapore Sale, which is held in June. During the event, prices are reduced dramatically, even up to 80%, and shopping malls are sometimes open till 2 am.

Religious Festivals
Religion is still an integral part of cosmopolitan Singapore. In fact, many of its most interesting buildings are of religious origin, be it old temples, modern churches or exotic mosques. Marked by this myriad of distinctive religions, Singapore celebrates a large amount of colorful festivals of special significance all year round. Although the festivals are special to certain races, they are nonetheless enjoyed by all.

Major religious festivals include the Chinese Lunar New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival, Hari Raya and Hari Raya Haji, Vesak Day, Christmas, Deepavali and Thaipusam.

Languages In Singapore
The four official languages of Singapore are English, Malay, Tamil and Mandarin with English being the language-in-common for most people. Children are taught in English at school, but also learn their mother tongue to make sure they don't lose contact with their traditions.

Many Singaporeans use Singlish, a mix of English with local dialects and languages to communicate, and sometimes sentences end with terms like "lah", "leh" and "mah". While frowned upon by the government, Singlish has come to be a badge of identity for many Singaporeans.

Some Singlish Terms
• habis - finished
• makan - to eat
• chope - to reserve something
• cheem - difficult, complicated
• ang moh - a caucasian
• rojak - mixed, a mix of
• kiasu - afraid to lose mentality

Examples Of Singlish In Use
• OK lah - Alright
• Makan already or not? - Have you eaten?
• Got meh? - Really?
• Don't have what. - It's not here like you said.
• You very troublesome leh. - What you are asking me to do is very taxing.
• Don't like that lah! - Don't be angry/difficult/offended!

Singapore


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