Malaysian English (Manglish): The Unique Quirks of Malaysian English
Malaysian English has several quirks that make it difficult for non-native speakers to grasp. This article will analyse all aspects of English in Malaysia, beginning with its history and progressing through the evolution of its current form and finishing with the idiosyncrasies of its use by local people themselves.
The first thing to understand about Malaysian English is that it is not a distinct language from normal English; rather, it is a variety or dialect of Standard English. This means that there are discrepancies between how words are used in Standard English and in Malaysia. However, these distinctions do not imply that it is a “dumbed down” form of English. It is as complicated as any other language and may express the same variety of thoughts and emotions.
Malaysia’s link with the English language dates back to the British Empire. The British utilised a number of tactics to educate the people under their rule, such as teaching them English so they could understand directives, read warning signs, and other printed materials. While this elite form of English was beneficial to the British, it did not give rise to a new variety of English.
This unique dialect of English emerged only after the country obtained independence from the British Empire in 1957. At the period, many people from all over the world emigrated to Malaysia in quest of job. Naturally, they everyone communicated in their native language rather than the national language, Malay. Most of these people didn’t need to learn Malay; instead, Malaysians needed to learn their native language, or at least a pidgin version of it.
This circumstance, in which everyone needed to learn something new, necessitated communication. Because individuals couldn’t comprehend each other at first, a rudimentary form of communication arose: a simplified version of English. This ‘pidgin’ English consisted solely of words from the new immigrants’ native languages and English. It was simplified rather than governed by grammatical rules.
For example, the term “lah” was used in the same manner as “eh” was used by Canadians. It can be used at the beginning or conclusion of a sentence in place of a verb like “to be,” but it can also mean a variety of other things. The word “lah” can mean “you are,” “isn’t it,” or anything else that “eh” can mean; however, it can also mean any verb or even some adjectives.
This was just one of several words that either replaced or were used in place of English words. Other examples are “lah” (only used for verbal cues), “chup” (indicating dibs or calling “shotgun”), “lepak” (to hang out or linger), and many more. In addition to these words, numerous cultures contributed their own languages to Malaysia. Each of these added a new word to the Malaysian lexicon.
There is no special name for this variety of English because of the huge range of cultures and languages that moved to Malaysia. It was once referred to as Straits English or Colloquial English, but these titles are no longer in use. Manglish is the most often used term, implying that the language is a hybrid of Malaysian and English. While this is correct, it is crucial to highlight that not all of the vocabulary is derived from English; some is derived from other languages.
Manglish is now widely utilised in a variety of contexts. It is extensively utilised in the general population as well as in media such as television shows and advertisements. While it may appear weird at first, the overall premise of the message is likely to be understood. It is most usually spoken, but written Manglish is also widely used. It has also been used in some novels to give them a more “local” flavour.
Manglish is frowned upon by classist and elitist English speakers. To avoid appearing illiterate, they feel that English should only be used in “standard” form. Despite their complaints, they are a minority. Most individuals continue to use it out of habit and convenience. Malaysians think that because it is their language, they should be able to use it anyway they see fit.
As a Malaysian, I believe that the use of Manglish should be encouraged rather than discouraged. It has no negative effects on society and allows people to communicate more efficiently. Furthermore, it demonstrates Malaysians’ distinct worldview, which other civilizations lack. It distinguishes us from other locations and makes us unique in our own way.
“The limitations of my language are the limits of my universe,” Wittgenstein famously observed. How we use English reflects how we utilise the rest of the globe. Malaysian English is one-of-a-kind, much like the society that gave birth to it. It is a synthesis of cultures and histories, as well as an ever-changing mingling of nations. It represents the country’s move toward modernisation and globalisation without abandoning its own character. In a nutshell, it is an essential component of who we are as a people.
While I’m not advocating for the abolition of “standard” English, I do feel it’s critical to accept the changes in our language. Our distinct English blend provides us a distinct flavour that other countries lack. In this day and age, when the world is shrinking and cultures are blending, our individual way of speaking distinguishes us from the crowd. Malaysia is not like any other country, nor is it English. As a people, we should embrace it and be proud of it.
Our language is a mash-up of several different languages. It is the result of the efforts of parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends and relatives. The English language may be “standard,” but as we all know, standard is just a broad generalisation. There is no such thing as a true standard. It’s merely something people have agreed on to make communication easier. Whether you realise it or not, everyone of you speaks in your own unique way. That is the essential beauty of language: there are no hard and fast laws. The people make the rules.
I believe that it is more crucial than ever for us to embrace our own language. As we move forward, I hope that this phenomena continues and that future generations of Malaysians speak with an even stronger Malaysian accent.
