strange symphonies

Manglish: A Rojak Language

After reading a post on theCICAK regarding Malaysian’s (ab)use of the English language, I thought I’d write some thoughts I have on the issue of Manglish, A Rojak Language (Mixed Up Language) .

As many of you may (or may not know) I bear an American accent, and carry certain mannerisms. Upon first meeting me you’d be confused whether you are speaking to a Malay, a person of a mixed/different race, or with a foreigner.

Over the past six years of my stay in Malaysia, I have been classified as one of the following (there are more, though I’ll have to think about it):

• Chindian
• Indonesian
• Thai

Or maybe some of the more peculiar ones: (Which I don’t know how they came up with)

• Jamaican (Perhaps I am a lost Rastafarian brother)
• Japanese (Or maybe ship wrecked from across the seas)

Basically put, I walk like a duck, talk like a duck, quack like a duck. Hence I must be a duck. Right? Perhaps…

Anyways, back to my original point. To me Manglish is different, at times it can be fun (such as amongst Malaysian colleagues when joking around), and at other times, completely in appropriate.

My opinion is that it’s all a matter of context, as which Wikipedia describes quite nicely in its article on “Malay Language: Extent of Use“:

Malaysians are easily identified due to the fact that they change their speaking styles in accordance with the person being spoken to. They may adopt a completely different slang and accent when speaking to someone of a different race, or of a similar race. This is not, however, a form of discrimination - it is considered casual and endearing.

Note: Emphasis by me.

Some interesting things I have found is the different meanings of certain words.

Take for example, “terror“. In English, terror is a synonym for fear. Just have a browse through the thesaurus. But you if you look at the Wikipedia entry “Manglish: Words and Grammar“, you will find that “terror” is associated with greatness.

So you terror one!

To a Malaysian, the thought’s that go to your head would be along the lines of:

Wow, that guy must be super duper awesome [at some activity]

For someone not drilled in the slang, they’ll probably think.

That must be some bad ass dude that we better watch out for. Better not bump into him in some dark alley.

Okay, maybe not that bad, as high chances are the person saying that probably doesn’t look like he is associated with any criminal activities. Wearing his collarless shirt, and his Nike shoes out with friend’s having a drink at a nearby mamak stall after a session of DOTA.

Maybe we should fix the thesaurus perhaps?

But it’s interesting though, how the definition of a word, has been completely reversed. What is the background behind this? How did it come to this? Depending upon who you talk to terrorists are sometimes regarded as freedom fighters. Was this one of the causes?
So to foreigners reading this post, and worried about Manglish, you are probably wondering “How should I prepare myself?” Lucky for you that Wikipedia has articles on Manglish, and the Malaysian English vocabluary, so you should get yourself acquainted (I know I haven’t with most of them). Perhaps if there is enough interest (or people are really bored) you can start a whole Wikibook on the topic!

Sadly judging from Wikipedia, Manglish hasn’t been designated an ISO code, wouldn’t it be fun if it did? Maybe we should campaign, for an ISO code for Manglish!

Imagine having your Ubuntu system translated into Manglish! Will more Malaysians people pick it up?