Did you know that Asia has the largest English-speaking population in the world? Like Singaporean or Indian. Although only four countries in Asia have English as an official language, more people speak English there than in all of Central and North America and Europe combined!

English is not just the official language of the UK, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. In many Asian countries, English is an official language too, mainly due to their historical ties to the British Empire. Linguists call these “outer circle Englishes,” in contrast to “inner circle Englishes,” where English is both official and native. English is spoken in 58 countries, including:

• 4 countries in Asia (1,757,704,321 people)
• 22 countries in Africa (593,056,359 people)
• 10 countries in the Caribbean (5,276,000 people)
• 1 country in Central America (288,000 people)
• 2 countries in North America (377,713,856 people)
• 1 country in South America (738,000 people)
• 3 countries in Europe (73,575,484 people)
• 14 countries in Oceania (40,784,521 people)

Some common characteristics of Singaporean English, Indian English, Philippine English

English is spoken in several countries, each with its own unique variety. In India, it’s known as Indian English (IE), in Pakistan as Pakistani English (or Paklish/Pinglish), in the Philippines as Philippine English, and in Singapore as Singapore English (SgE, SE, en-SG, Singlish). Each of these countries has a distinct dialect of English, officially recognized by linguists, who have identified many unique phonetic and lexical features. Here are some common phonetic characteristics found in many of these dialects:

1. Avoidance of dental fricatives for the TH sounds (sounds are realized as [t] and [d] in initial position, though final TH is pronounced as [f]):

Standard American English: this /ðɪs/, thumb /θʌm/, birth /bɝːθ/

Outer circle English: this /dɪs/, thumb /tʌm/, /bɝf/

2. Simplification of word‐final consonant clusters (cluster reduction is dropping one consonant in a cluster, or the entire cluster):

Standard American English: fist /fɪst/, forest /ˈfɔːr.ɪst/, most /moʊst/, friend /frend/

Outer circle English: fist /fɪs/, forest /ˈfɔːr.ɪs/, most /mos/, friend /fren/

3. Merging of long and short vowels: 

Standard American English: goose /ɡuːs/, fool /fuːl/, caught /kɑːt/

Outer circle English: goose /ɡʊs/, fool /fʊl/, caught /kɔt/

4. Monophthongal realization of the face and goat vowels:

Standard American English: face /feɪs/, goat /ɡoʊt/

Outer circle English: face /fe:s/, goat /ɡo:t/

5. Absence of vowel reduction (a full vowel (instead of [ə]) often occurs in the unstressed first syllable of words such as computer and advice);

Standard American English: water /ˈwɑː.t̬ɚ/, never /ˈnev.ɚ/

Outer circle English: water /’wɒtaɾ/ or /ʋɒʈaɾ/, never /’nevaɾ/

6. Syllable‐timed rhythm (Languages with this rhythm often seem more monotone because syllables are always given the same duration no matter the placement or the stresses.).

You can hear some of these accents and vocabulary differences in this video.

So why is Asia So Important for Business?

India:

• India is one of the fastest-growing economies globally, with an annual growth rate above 8% in international business. India’s GDP growth has been substantial, reaching 203.39 trillion USD in 2019-20, making it the 3rd largest GDP globally.
• India attracted $83.6 billion in FDI in 2022, making it one of the top recipients of foreign investment globally. The country saw a 10% increase in FDI inflows from the previous year, reflecting strong investor confidence.
• India’s exports amounted to $422 billion in 2022, with major export items including petroleum products, gems and jewelry, pharmaceuticals, and textiles.
• India has a population of over 1.4 billion as of 2023, making it the second-most populous country in the world. The labor force participation rate is approximately 50%, with a median age of 28.4 years, indicating a young and growing workforce.

Singapore:

• Singapore reported a GDP per capita of $82,794 in 2022, the highest in Asia. Ranked number one in the Heritage Foundation’s Index of Economic Freedom in 2023.
• Manufacturing accounted for 21.5% and 21.6% of GDP in 2021 and 2022, respectively, with notable growth in biomedical manufacturing, electronics, and precision engineering.
• The Port of Singapore links to over 600 ports in 120 countries, with a container throughput of 37.3 million TEUs in 2022.
• The country’s emphasis on international business practices, English as the primary working language, and cultural connections with ASEAN countries make it an ideal hub for regional and global business operations.

The Philippines:

• The Philippines’ GDP grew by 7.6% in 2022, making it one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia. The country’s GDP reached approximately $393 billion in 2022.
• The Philippines has a population of over 113 million as of 2023, making it the 13th most populous country in the world. The labor force participation rate is about 64.5%, with a median age of 25.7 years, indicating a young and dynamic workforce.
• In 2022, the Philippines attracted $10.5 billion in FDI, a significant increase from previous years. The country experienced a 20% growth in FDI inflows in 2022, reflecting increased investor confidence.
• The Philippines’ exports totaled $78.9 billion in 2022, with electronics and semiconductors being the top export items, accounting for over 50% of total exports.

Understanding the unique aspects of English in countries like Singapore, India, and the Philippines is crucial for global business. These countries not only represent a significant portion of the world’s English-speaking population but also play vital roles in international trade, technology, and outsourcing industries. Effective communication in these regional varieties of English can enhance business relations, improve customer service, and facilitate smoother negotiations, thereby contributing to successful business operations and growth.

Sources:

1. The Features of Asian Englishes: Phonology, Ishamina Athirah Gardiner, David Deterding, 2020
2. Why Singapore, Alberto Vettoretti
3. Philippines – Country Commercial Guide: Market Overview
4. Doing business in the Philippines – a global expansion guide, 2022
5. Why is Singapore considered a Global Business Hub?
6. India’s Role in World Business