Typical Malaysians' Issues of English Mastery

Apparently, 2014 was the last time I posted on my blog. It was incredibly 7 years ago, peeps! Well, the only excuse that I can think of right now is that I have been tied up at work. Nope, I am lying. I am such a lazy bum. Here are a number of controversial issues of the importance of English mastery brought up by typical Malaysians.

Issue 1: I am Malaysian who lives in Malaysia. What is the point of knowing English, then?

Education aims at preparing young Malaysians for a better tomorrow – not for the sake of exams! Pupils at school normally find their future unpredictable or else they will never have a hard time selecting elective subjects for upper secondary curriculum. Meanwhile, only if students at university ever knew what exactly they would do for a living in the next five years will they never grumble for taking the wrong course either.

Some jobs demand employees with a good command of the English language – no question! Thus, learning English at an early age is a must! Enrolling for an English course when they have grown up later is possible yet it is not always a good idea.

Issue 2: English is our colonial language!

Living in the twenty-first century, Malaysians should no longer have such a mentality. Think of English as a great opportunity to help boost the country's economic growth i.e. tourism. We play a 'small ambassador' role in our home country. Our small effort lending a helping hand whenever some holidaymaker asks for directions to some tourist destinations is considered such a big help to the country. Even better, we are able to share useful info regarding the cultural diversity, local cuisine as well as the preaching of Islam!

Issue 3: Most Malaysians speak Malay!

Do we really need a listener every time we speak? Think again. Actually, not necessarily. When having a bad day, we tend to whine, grumble or even curse and it need not have people around, correct? So why don't we do it in English instead? 

For instance, 'Ah, I'm knackered! Need a rest soon'. 

This might sound simple to you but when we keep it in practice, we shall definitely see the change after a while. What about saying several English phrases while conversing with somebody? For example;

Eg 1. 'Aku dah tolong ambil buku kau tadi.' 'Oh, thanks!'

Eg 2: 'Jom pergi shopping, nak?' 'Let's go!'

It is not a sin to do so, is it?

Issue 4: Some people can be so sarcastic sometimes when I speak in English to my children.

Honey, those children are yours. Screw them! Have faith! Your children will not have trouble learning English at school later – but please keep in mind that your children should speak Malay as well. Let them be bilingual, at least. Growing up in Malaysia, we shall not worry pretty much about their Malay mastery since the Malay-speaking environment certainly helps! So, take it easy.

Issue 5: A lot of Malaysians speak Manglish.

In my view, learning British or/and American English is best. The truth is Manglish is not the correct English, so why bother? For the record, British English is taught at Malaysian schools and that Malaysia was a British colony is the reason why. Even so, school seems to have already accepted both Englishes lately. Besides, who cares if we would rather speak American than British English anyway? Don't you think, in the end, to get the message across really counts?

Issue 6: Some Malaysians can be a brutal grammar nazi!

These things happen. Nevertheless, that does not mean we have to stop speaking in English. Grammar mastery helps us convey our message more precisely, be it spoken or written English. But we know it does not take 24 hours to master it. It can be months or even years. So, all we need to do is never ever give up our learning. 

These days, there are numerous learning resources to choose from. Examples are Youtube videos, educational websites, reference books – you name it. Everything is actually at our fingertips! Even better if you can afford an English course and I would say, 'go ahead!' Learning grammar does help us speak better English. Isn't that what we are after?

Issue 7: It is so hard to imitate British accents!

Oh well. Does it matter? For the most part, if Malay is your race, your accent most probably sounds Malayish while speaking. To me, the main focus should be on pronunciation. Learn to pronounce every word as accurately as possible. Use Google for help. Why is that? Because after all, our hope is to get the message across when we talk. Whilst mispronouncing too many words can only cause either misunderstanding or misinterpretation.

Hopefully, I have just left something for you to contemplate. Who knows? My views could be the answers that you have been searching for. Look on the bright side and stop being pessimistic! With that, all the best!

Love,

Mohd Khairul Anuar

B.Ed TESL (Hons), UIAM

The Colonial Language

None of the Malaysian citizens at present can deny the fact that English is a colonial language. Just ask the elderly who used to live over the era of British occupation for instance, of course they’ve long instilled the attitude of hating the colonizers. After Portuguese and Japanese, historically, British was also one of Malaya’s colonisers. Therefore, I guess it makes sense if the English language is categorised in the column of ‘Colonial Language’. 

In spite of the fact that it’s a colonial language, Malaysia is one of the countries in the world that puts high belief that English is significant. The ‘faith’ has led to a big consequence towards the country after independence in 1957 whereby English has been officially declared as the second language. It is evident that English has been long taught and is a compulsory subject to study at schools, be it primary or secondary schools.

Recently, the Ministry of Education has suggested that it be passed in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exam or else students won’t be qualified to acquire a piece of the SPM exam certificate later. Is it the government’s urge in order to ensure students primarily the Malays will be concentrating on the colonial language in earnest? Or this action will only cause the Malay students fail to procure the SPM exam certificate and finally fail to get a job neither at the government nor private sector. Have a think!

A lot of educated parents have been aware of the importance of English nowadays. In addition, there are some parents who make English as their daily communication language at home. Consequently, their children whose nationality is Malay aren’t fluent and proficient in their mother tongue. This shouldn’t be happening! In the book ‘An Introduction to Sociolinguistics’ written by Janet Holmes, it is believed that the demand of a worker to use English much more is among the biggest contributor to language shift. Yet, speaking in a foreign language 100% and ignoring our own native language constitutes a foolish step which may lead to language loss.

Speaking about language loss, the habit of speaking in a foreign language is a main factor that contributes language death. Would you be happy when your own mother tongue dies? Of course, not!

Do you know that the group of immigrants often face this kind of problem? This includes immigrants to the United States, Japan, Australia and so forth. Mostly their children are bilingual for being able to speak more than one language. However, should the mother tongue be never spoken at all, the coming generations will turn to be monolingual and more disappointingly, these future generations only know English. Even worse, they’ll get confused with their own identity. What a shame!

Were I a parent, making Bahasa Melayu and English as the main languages in my family institution is really awesome. At least, my children wouldn’t undergo any difficulty in mastering both languages. Recalling a friend of mine who was born in the United Kingdom, her mother usually speaks Malay at home while his father speaks English. That has made him bilingual. Living in a foreign country like the United Kingdom, of course at school, he has no choice and has to study fully in English. This is because English is the language used when speaking to his classmates and teachers.

I feel amazed and impressed because their parents have strong identity as a Malay. They too speak Malay although their children study in English at school.

What makes me astonished and surprised is when some Malaysian parents who are too obsessive about the coloniser’s language by prioritizing the language at home. This sounds really risky for the children as they tend to lose their identity as a Malay and will probably be facing the problem of identity later. What’s the point of being a Malay if being unable to speak Malay fluently?

It isn’t wrong to converse with children in English. Plus, they should foster it. Anyhow, don’t forget the national language which is supposed to be proud of. Also, make sure that the mastery of both languages lies on a very satisfactory level.

Thus, parents are encouraged to speak English to their children but mother tongue can never be left behind. By using both languages, this will help children master both languages fluently and the problem of English mastery among Malaysians will no longer happen. So disadvantageous if there’re people who’re too fanatic toward Bahasa Melayu who totally ignore the significance of English in today’s world.

3rd Class Economy Sector

This is my personal blog so I can ‘scribble’ anything I please, forever. This statement is freshly stuck in my head. After quite some time, I’ve got to see eye to eye that this in fact makes sense too. This constitutes the ownership of the blog. In addition, the way one writes best symbolizes one’s characteristics and manners, be it good or bad. The reader is always free to judge and evaluate. Alright, not gonna talk about this.

I wondered the other week on how my bosom buddy had been spending his lifetime working at a sundry shop which is where I’m currently working at for almost a couple of years. Wow! The unstoppable curiosity made me think of giving it a try. At first, I thought it was as easy as ABC. But, my previous assumption was totally false! Now I’ve got it!

~ WHEN WE NEED MORE ENERGY OF YOURS THAN YOUR INTELLIGENCE ~

I was just fortunate because working at the sundry shop which needs not be mentioned here is a lot more different than at ‘the’ hotel (Just hope that you’ve known which hotel I’m referring to). It looks merely a small shop but nevertheless working there seems as if you’re a full-time gardener or farmer. Anyhow, we don’t even call a worker at a sundry shop like that, they’re probably called a sales assistant. Dunno whether this term has been chosen precisely. I’m just guessing.

Being a sales assistant, personally, is much trickier and much more exhausting than a front office assistant. It entails and demands a very energetic worker at all times. As an ordinary human, one can never escape of feeling exhausted and tired, mainly after having carried a lot of stuff. I’ve experienced this kinda situation which turns to be a nightmare to me. Yeah, I mean it!

On the first day of working, I felt I wanted to quit the job immediately, seriously. Plus, it’s during the fasting month of Ramadhan whereby Malaysian Muslims are obliged to fast for 8 hours or so ever since the call of Subuh prayer gets started until Maghrib. It may be a little OK if it’s not a fasting month cos I could drink a gallon of water anytime.

Hearing my fellow colleague’s fasting month working experience that he had to break fast occasionally, I was dramatically overwhelmed by the feeling of fright. Wish it wouldn’t happen to me till the end of Ramadhan… Ameen. According to the Islamic teaching, I know that a hard-working man may break fast according to the Islamic teaching and has to replace it in any other months. However, I don’t think I need to do so. I ought to be even stronger and forever remember Allah.

Quite certain that you wanna know how the work looks like, don’t you? How’s it different if compared to working at ‘the’ hotel? Let me explain to you my working ‘routine’ in the bulleted points as follows:

IN THE MORNING

Ø  Once the sundry shop is open, my first task is sweep the floor.

Ø  Then, arrange stuff available in the shop and make sure all are in the right order.

Ø  Refill any insufficient amount of stuff that has varied.

I tend to get sweaty most quickly by this time although I’ve just started doing it for less than an hour.

LATE IN THE MORNING

Ø  Gotta treat any customers and fulfill their needs.

Ø Be patient with the customer’s annoying and disgusting behavior.

Ø  Carry heavy things such as a few sacks of rice, gas etc.

Ø  Complete the task assigned as quickly as possible or the customer will growl at me.

Ø  Keep all stuff clean.

The big challenge is when I don’t have the time to take five. My boss will assign me to do so many things like hell. But what to do, that’s my BOSS and I’ve no choice even though I wish I could.

The most awaited part is at 1 o’clock sharp as I may go home and should’ve come back after 1 hour. Since my home isn’t that far so I most frequently decide to go back home. Generally I’d much rather spend the one-hour duration by taking my shower and chilling out for the little time left. Then, get back to the world of working!

IN THE AFTERNOON

This is my favourite moment because:

• I can take five a bit longer. I let my body be touched by the cold wind from a cooler fan, as if I were somewhere at the beach. How restful it is!
• The number of customers is getting lesser and is no longer as many as in the morning.
• My energy isn’t that necessary during this time.
• I am to do something lighter such as measuring something such as salt and packing rubber band.

IN THE EVENING

This is when my energy is required back because the boss is now there! So no more rest!

Ø  Prior to the boss’ attendance, I’ve always ‘escaped’ for performing Asar prayer. What a greater way to escape, huh?

Ø  Customers are increasing.

Ø  I must entertain the customers and don’t ever let them ‘attack’ the cashier a.k.a the boss or otherwise I’ll be scolded.

Ø  This is when I’m damn sick since I’m not that familiar with cooking stuff. Fascinatingly, I get to learn to know ‘new’ things which aren’t so new for the cook in Malaysia.

Ø  My colleague advised that I be more ‘active’ in entertaining customers when it’s a quarter to 6 or I’ll be going back home much later as this is the time when customers are accustomed to coming and getting things.

When it’s come to an end: at 6:00 p.m.

You must be pretty good at guessing how delighted I’d be feeling. Be quick! Be quick! I wanna go home! When I may leave, that’s when I feel FREAKING relieved! Happily I’m going home.

THE STATE OF EMOTION

Now, I myself have put myself in my bosom friend’s shoes… it’s totally far exhausting to be a sales assistant than a teacher. But the distinction is that:

You use your ENERGY to work at a sundry shop, but…

You use your INTELLIGENCE to work as a teacher at school or tuition centre.

Bilingualism

Relating your reading ‘input’ to the real world is a great output. Just like a student always tries to relate what they’ve learnt at school to something more realistic. Your world is certainly getting much better. Even your profound understanding makes the educational process more enjoyable and pleasing. Aha, this is such a key point because I’m gonna share with you shortly my previous reading that’s closely connected to the world I live in.

Before that, I’ve got a question here: Have you ever heard the adjective ‘bilingual’? If never, please go look up the word in dictionary. Oxford dictionary is an excellent choice. By the way, you would’ve less time and hope me for help. Alright, then. I’d looked it up FYI. The definition given in my Oxford Advanced Learner’s dictionary (International Student’s Edition) is ‘being able to speak two languages equally well because you’ve used them since you’re young’. Aha, you’ve got it? I hope so.  

Now, let’s take your mind off the definition for a while. If not, this could possibly be irrelevant to the main focus of my writing (in fact, typing). Speaking about the issue bilingualism, it does occur in most countries all over the globe either in the continents of Asia, Africa, the US etc. Guess what? MALAYSIA is inclusive. Ah, excuse me? Yeah, you can be thinking about the Malays who occupy 65% of Malaysia’s entire population. Do accept my apology in that I’m not the least bit thinking so.

Frankly speaking, I’m talking about other nationalities that exist in Malaysia besides the Malays. Some of these nations initially came as immigrants on this land and the rest are Bumiputras such as the Melanaus, the Orang Aslis, the Ibans, the Kadazans and many others. As Bahasa Melayu has become the national language in this region, in other words, the non-Malays are required to study the subject Bahasa Melayu at school and compulsorily pass it. The need to pass the language subject is vital for a job seeker within the country whether they aspire to work in the government sector particularly.

Of my observation, what’s so unique is that the non-Malays seem just lucky for being bilingual indirectly. Not only can they speak in their mother tongue so well, but are also fluent in Bahasa Melayu. At present, there’s no big deal when a Chinese Malaysian is able to speak both Mandarin (or other Chinese dialects) and Bahasa Melayu properly. Seeing that the English language is officially the second language here, the non-Malay citizens have one more specialty with their proficiency in speaking English. That makes them multilingual. How amazing! It’s undeniable that such a circumstance is mostly undergone by immigrants.

Hang on a second! Are there any bilingual Malays too? What about a multilingual Malay? Absolutely, there surely are. Taking Malaysians living in a foreign country like the United Kindgom, Australia and whatnot for instance, they’re among the bilingual and multilingual – but nevertheless on one condition, namely they must be able to speak two diverse languages to be a bilingual and more than two languages to belong to the multilingual.

Well…what if we can speak Bahasa Melayu and English pretty well? Do we belong to the bilingual as well? Hmm… sounds good, doesn’t it? I guess why not? We definitely are!