This paper discusses six drivers of language use and policies in Singapore: shifts in home language from heritage languages and official mother tongue languages (MTLs) to English, increasing acceptance of Singlish as part of Singaporean identity, demographic changes including transnational marriages and new immigrants, changing Singaporean aspirations balancing pragmatism with personal fulfilment, technological advancements
and geopolitical dynamics. These drivers were identified through comprehensive horizon scanning, literature reviews and consultations with subject matter experts.
Feedback and ideas from the people, public and private sectors were then incorporated through a series of roundtable discussions and a workshop. These interactions shed light on the nuanced interaction of the drivers an their implications, highlighting the complex interplay between language identity and socio-economic factors in Singapore.
The ultimate aim of this project is not to predict the future of language use and policies in Singapore, but to provide a structured framework to envision different possible futures. By raising the level of awareness of potential trends and shifts, the study seeks to re-examine assumptions and identify opportunities and challenges that may arise, thus supporting innovative policy and strategy responses in a changing and complex environment.
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