Quora Answer: How Proficient is Singapore’s English Grammar Compared to Hong Kong?

The following is my answer to a Quora question: “Singapore claims English as the national language.  How proficient is their English grammar compared to Hong Kong?”

The national language of Singapore is Malay, which is clearly stated in the Constitution.  It is not English.  Singapore also has three official languages in addition to the national language: English, Mandarin, and Tamil.

When you are dealing with the academic, political and business elite, the standard of English is excellent.  English is the default language of business and governance.  It used to be the same in Hong Kong, and for large sections, it is still true.  However, since the return to China, in 1997, there has been a gradual emphasis on Mandarin, and Mandarin proficiency has risen, even at the expense of Cantonese.

Language proficiency is determined by economic and political realities.  If tomorrow, Singapore could make more money by knowing Swahili, within a generation, many of us would be proficient at it.