The cultural legacy of the British Empire in Singapore contrasts sharply with that of other former British colonies. While countries such as India and Malaysia have de-emphasized the time they spent under British rule, going so far as to change most English place names, Singapore has generally embraced its colonial past.
A recent article by McDermott attributes this difference to a number of reasons, each of which distinguishes Singapore from other former colonies. To begin with, Singapore did not have a shared history and culture before the arrival of the British. The area occupied by the modern state was sparsely populated and had been ruled by a series of local empires. A large majority of Singapore’s present-day population consists of the descendants of Chinese and Indian immigrants that arrived during the colonial period. Secondly, the cultural factors that unite Singaporeans today were developed during British rule. Among the most important of these cultural factors is a shared embrace of commerce and industry. During the colonial period, Singapore became a regional center of finance and international trade, and this status has continued to the present day. Economic prosperity is a national priority for nearly all Singaporeans. Finally, Singapore endured comparatively little strife in its transition to independence. In 1963, the country was joined in a union with the newly independent state of Malaysia through an act of Parliament. Malaysia had only recently achieved independence, and only after a long guerrilla war with the British. Two years later, Singapore’s union with Malaysia was dissolved and the country became a fully independent state.
Which of the following is the least appropriate example of the Singaporean embrace of British culture?
A. Although most Singaporeans are bilingual and learn another language in addition to English, the language of business is usually English.
B. Many hotels and other buildings built during the British colonial period have kept their English names.
C. The Singaporean government is based on a parliamentary system similar to that of Great Britain.
D. British entertainment, such as the BBC, is very popular in Singapore.
E. British fast-food chains are usually not successful in Singapore, where consumers prefer local cuisine.