The defacto working language in Singapore is English. English is widely spoken and understood; road signs, documents and application forms are printed in English. In some cases, multi-lingual forms are available, usually in the official languages recognized by Singapore. English is also the language of choice for trade and businesses.

The four languages recognized as official languages in Singapore are Mandarin (Chinese), Malay, Tamil and English. The national anthem of Singapore is sung in Malay as a tribute to the island's indigenous people who lived along the rivers and coasts of the Singapore River.

As the majority of Singaporeans are ethnic Chinese (about 75 percent), Mandarin (and several Chinese dialects) can be heard spoken in places such as the marketplace or the coffee shops. In respect for the non-Mandarin speaking population, many locally produced Mandarin television programs are subtitled in English. It is not essential to learn all or another language to "get by" in Singapore. Most expatriates who live in Singapore may choose to learn Malay, Tamil or Mandarin out of curiosity, or out of a desire to learn more about the local culture, or when learning how to order a local dish.

There is a strong bilingual policy taught in schools for all children – the English language and another language (known as their 'mother tongue') – either Mandarin, Tamil or Malay is taught from a very young age. Foreign students who wish to study in the local schools must have a certain level of competency in English, as most lessons (with the exception of other language lessons) are taught in English. While most Singaporeans can speak and understand English competently, English is not necessarily the language used in their homes and among their friends. This is especially true for the younger generation of Singaporeans, as they tend to speak in other languages (including one of the many Chinese dialects) to their elders.