Language and People

When I was back in school, the English teachers (and my dad) were always pressuring us to stick to the proper English, not to use slang or end sentences with "la"s and "ma"s. We were instead supposed to speak English like we were Brits and it is our mother tongue. But it is not is it? We are Malaysians and we have various mother tongues. Living together long enough, we have come to understand each other's language just as we understand each other... even if it just a little. A friend once asked me if all Chinese ate dogs.... I would have laughed out right, but then seeing his serious face, I gently explained that most Chinese in Malaysia do not eat dogs at all ^^". Then again, there was another friend who asked if I was a gangster just because my school had a notorious history. Also asked with an extremely serious and cautious face.

But that is besides the point. The main point is that several years down the road since school, people are now proudly flaunting Malaysian flavoured English. It has become part of the culture of being a Malaysian. As much as things such as nasi lemak, Nyonya cuisine, general greeting (the first question, regardless of language is always: Have you eaten?) Malaysian drivers and Malaysian timing as part of our culture (though maybe we should rethink the last two items ^.<). Here, a sentence made up of a few language would be perfectly normal and understandable to all Malaysians, and be alien to everyone else.

We are still not completely comfortable with each other, but then again, there are a lot of people that we probably can't stand and it has nothing to do with the way we look. Still we have no problem living, working and playing next to each other. We can walk on the roads without fear of being gunned down (at most we have to worry about is acid being splashed). So it is sufficient... for the moment.

Happy Malaysia Day everyone ^^